Ellie stirred as a tickling sensation crept across her cheek, jolting her awake with a gasp. A monstrous spider, its hairy legs as long as her fingers, scuttled away from her face. With a shudder of disgust, she brushed away the lingering sensation of its touch. Groaning, she sat up, blinking against the morning light filtering through the trees. The sky was a blanket of gray, the sun barely peeking through the thick clouds.
She glanced at her clothes, which clung to her uncomfortably. They were still damp, but thankfully, the night air had allowed them to dry out considerably. Chilled, Ellie realized that she had caught a cold. She pressed a hand to her forehead, feeling the warmth of a fever. ‟Great, I’m getting sick now.”
A sneeze erupted from her, followed by another, and another. Her nose was annoyingly runny, and her throat felt scratchy. Going back into the caves to find Pipwhistle and the moss seemed foolhardy now. “Best to cut my losses.”
Ellie decided to follow the coastline until she reached the Wildsedge River where the bridge was, ready to cross back into Crystal Shores.
Ellie’s first few steps were heavy, her body aching with every movement. The shoreline stretched out before her, a desolate expanse of sand and jagged rocks. The waves crashed against the shore. Remnants of old shipwrecks dotted the coastline, their broken hulls jutting out of the sand like skeletal remains.
The walk seemed to stretch on for hours, each step a battle against exhaustion and the gnawing hunger in her belly. The sun climbed higher in the sky, but its warmth did little to dispel the chill of the wind whipping her hair around her face.
As the hours passed, Ellie’s legs grew weary. She reached into her pocket, hoping to find a morsel of food, but came up empty.
Finally, the silhouette of the Wildsedge Bridge came into view, its weathered stone arches a welcome sight. Soon, she would be home. Soon, she could deliver the moss to Dr. Bennett and perhaps, just perhaps, save her grandfather’s life.
Just as she was about to step onto the bridge, a voice called out her name. “Ellie!” It was faint at first, but unmistakable. She turned. “Pip?”
From the shadows of the forest, Pipwhistle emerged, his small figure running towards her, the pack slung over his shoulder.
“I got it, Ellie-belly,” Pip said, handing her the pack of Dragonscale Moss.
Ellie took the pack, tears welling up in her eyes. “The moss, you brought me the moss. Thank you, Pip. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“Oh, I think I have a pretty good idea.”
‟Yeah, I know.”
Suddenly, Pip snapped his fingers. “Oh, I almost forgot!” He reached under his cloak and rummaged around for a moment before pulling out a familiar object. “I believe this belongs to you.”
“How did you get it?” she asked, taking the necklace and holding it close to her heart.
Pip shrugged. “I was looking around and happened to find it in the pile of jewels where Aurathorn had tossed it,” he said, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. “I figured you might want it back.”
“You mean you went back into the dragon’s lair? After he threatened to roast us alive?”
Pipwhistle puffed out his chest. “A Quibnocket never leaves a treasure behind, especially not one belonging to a friend.” He winked. “Besides, a little dragon breath never hurt anyone.”
Ellie chuckled. “You always manage to surprise me, Pip. You’re like a little miracle worker.”
“Well, someone has to keep things interesting around here.”
A moment of comfortable silence passed between them before Ellie spoke again. “Would you like to come with me to Crystal Shores?”
Pip shook his head, his expression turning serious. “No, Thornveil Wilds is my home. But who knows, maybe our paths will cross again.”
Ellie stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Pip, hugging him tightly. Tears streamed down her face. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Pipwhistle gently pulled away. “You could have, Ellie. You’re stronger than you think.”
With a final wave, Pipwhistle turned and disappeared back into the Wilds. Ellie watched him go, a bittersweet ache in her heart. Then, clutching the moss and her pendant, she turned and crossed the bridge, stepping back into Crystal Shores.
Bram had warned her that her family wouldn’t remember her, but she had to see for herself. Nonetheless, she ran home, eager to see her mother and check on her grandfather’s condition.
When she arrived, she found her mother hanging clothes on the clothesline, her back turned to Ellie. For a moment, Ellie stood there, watching her mother’s familiar movements, hoping against hope that she would turn around and recognize her.
“Mom?” Ellie called out, her voice trembling with emotion.
Her mother looked up, her eyes blank and unrecognizing. “Can I help you?”
Ellie’s heart shattered at the realization that her own mother did not recognize her.
“How’s Grandpa?” Ellie asked, her voice thick with emotion.
Her mother looked at her with a puzzled expression. “Grandpa? Do you know my father?”
Ellie hesitated, unsure how to answer. “I . . . I used to,” she stammered. “Before . . .”
Her voice trailed off, the weight of the sacrifice she had made pressing down on her.
“He’s very ill,” her mother said, her voice heavy with sorrow. “He doesn’t have much time left.”
Ellie’s heart ached. She longed to rush inside and be by her grandfather’s side, to hold his hand and tell him how much she loved him. But she knew it would be wrong for a stranger to her mother to intrude on such a private moment.
“Can I visit again?” she asked.
“Of course,” her mother replied, her eyes filled with pity. She turned back to her task, pinning a freshly laundered shirt to the clothesline.
Ellie watched her mother for a moment. She wanted to reach out, to embrace her, to tell her everything. But she knew she couldn’t. Not yet.
Ellie turned and walked away. She knew she would soon have the Elixiron that Grandpa Joe needed. That knowledge was the only thing keeping her going.
She rushed to Dr. Bennett’s office. The waiting room was empty, but the door to the doctor’s private office was closed, the sound of muffled voices filtering through the wood.
Ellie paced back and forth, her nerves on edge. Then the door opened, and a young woman emerged, her face pale and drawn. Dr. Bennett followed.
“Ellie,” he said. ‟What brings you here?”
“I have it.” Ellie held out the pack. “The Dragonscale Moss.”
“You did it.” He opened the pack. “You actually found it.”
He turned and walked to a cabinet, revealing a collection of vials and jars filled with various herbs and powders.
“I have the other ingredients ready,” he said. “I’ll start working on the elixir immediately. It should be ready by tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” She hesitated, then added, “There’s something else I need to tell you.”
She explained the sacrifice she had made, how her family no longer knew her, and that she had no money to stay at the local inn for the night.
“That was a foolish thing to do, child,” he said. “But I understand your desperation.” He paused, then added, “I don’t have a spare room, but the stable down the road should have a place for you to spend the night. The farmer is a kind man, he’ll understand.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t worry, Ellie. Once the elixir is made, there will be enough for your grandpa and plenty left over to sell. We’ll both be quite wealthy.”
The thought of being wealthy was a distant dream to Ellie. All she cared about was saving her grandfather. “I don’t care about the money. I just want my grandpa to get better.” She paused, then said, ‟But on the other hand, I know just the guy who will pay top dollar for the Elixiron—Gavin Brooks.”
The doctor laughed. ‟I think you’re right.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow.”
‟Wait a minute.” Doctor Bennett went to his lunch basket and brought back a sandwich and a juicy fruit. ‟Here, I think you need this more than I do.”
Ellie thanked the doctor and promised to return the next day. As she stepped outside, she took in the sights and sounds of Crystal Shores on a typical Tuesday. Fishermen were hauling in their nets, merchants were setting up their stalls in the market square, and children were laughing and playing in the streets.
When she reached Tyler’s home, hoping to see him, his father told her that he has not yet returned from the war.
Feeling a sense of loneliness, she wandered through the village, searching for a meaningful gift to buy for her grandpa and mother once she had the money. Her eyes landed on a beautiful, intricately crafted music box in a shop window. It played a melodic tune reminiscent of her grandfather’s favorite sailor song. Ellie knew it would be the perfect gift to bring a smile to his face. Today was his birthday, after all.
As the day wore on, Ellie’s cold worsened, and her body ached with exhaustion. She made her way to the stables and spoke with the farmer, who kindly allowed her to spend one night in a clean, empty stable meant for a horse arriving the next day. Ellie settled into the soft, scratchy straw, grateful for a place to rest and recover. As she lay down, her mind drifted to the challenges that still lay ahead, but she held onto the hope that her grandfather would soon be healed, and their lives would take a turn for the better.
