Book 2 (Pt. 4)

~Sam’s View~

(Everyone is at the Festival; there is a large spread of exotic foods, multiple games being held, a pie eating contest, and a gathering around a bonfire.)

Carren: (shyly) Um, you should help yourselves to the food here. It is very good.

Dadachi: Sure. I haven’t had much to eat all day.

Carren: Also, Sam, the elders want to meet with you at the bonfire after the festival. (Sam nods)

Dadachi: (to Sam) We might as well have fun while we’re here. Let’s get something to eat, then we can look around and have a little fun. (In his head) I am SO entering that pie contest. (They go to the buffet and eat until they’re full. After dinner, they walk around; Sam finds the wolf cub and picks it up)

Sam: I wonder why they’re so afraid of this defenseless pup. (He rubs the pup behind its ears; it relaxes and wags its tail) (Aside) Yeah, I like it when I get my ears rubbed too. (He puts the pup down and they walk away)

Dadachi: Do you think the pup has something to do with the person stealing the lake water?

Sam: No, it’s probably just coincidence…

Dadachi: We can ask Jake and Isabelle if they’ve seen it around later. Right now, we have ourselves a little admirer.

Sam: Huh? (He looks behind him; the puppy is following them. It barks and wags its tail.)

Dadachi: It looks like Cyan’s charm has been rubbing off on you! (He grins)

Sam: (rolls his eyes) Yeah right. (He kneels down to talk to the pup) You wanna come with us? (The pup barks once and licks Sam’s face) Haha, I guess that’s a yes. (Humored) But, you have to stay close. Do you understand? (The puppy nods)

Dadachi: (Confused) Did that dog just answer you?

Sam: Ehhh, I think so…? (A little alarmed)

Dadachi: Welp, one more reason for me to be freaked out about dogs. (Throws his hands up) At least it understands English. (They walk away; the pup follows close behind)

(Sam and Dadachi enter a few games like the foot race [Sam wins that], a tree climb [both lose], an egg toss [Dadachi cracks an egg over Sam’s head for the lulz], and an animal taming contest with creatures from that dimension [both manage to tame their creature]. After all the games, Sam and Dadachi, followed by the pup, go to the pie eating contest.)

Dadachi: I wonder where all of the pies came from?

Sam: They probably made them with the fruits and nuts around this area.

Dadachi: Are you going to enter?

Sam: Nope. It’s way too exciting.

Dadachi: More pie for me then! (Excitedly takes a seat at the table) (Sam sits on a tree stump close by; the pup jumps into his lap and goes to sleep) (The contest starts)

Announcer Nymph: Pie eaters ready? Set. GO!! (Contestants start eating like crazy)

Sam: (In his head) Looks like Dadachi’s doing well. He’s already done his first pie. (Sam pets the pup and scratches its neck; the pup growls and Sam pulls his hand back) You don’t like that very much… (He touches the pup’s neck)

Pup: YELP!! (It jumps down and whimpers at Sam’s feet)

Sam: Something’s wrong. (He picks the pup up again then looks closely at its neck; he notices a small but deep cut under its fur) Oh! I must have touched it. Sorry. (He comforts the pup until it relaxes again)

Announcer Nymph: Here is your Pie Eating Champion! (He lifts us the arm of a very large nymph)

Dadachi: (Walking back; wiping pie off of his face) Wow, that was some good pie.

Sam: I hope you didn’t think you were going to win.

Dadachi: Of course not! I just wanted the pie. (Sam shrugs)

Sam: Hey, look at this. (He shows Dadachi the cut on the pup’s neck) This is too clean a cut to be random scratch.

Dadachi: That’s pretty deep too. Where do you think it got it from?

Sam: I don’t know. It doesn’t seem to be hurting unless touched though.

Carren: (Runs up to them; out of breath) *Huff* The Chief wants to see you.

Sam: Is something wrong?

Carren: No… He, uh, wants you to help greet Jake.

Sam: Oh, okay. (He stands) We’ll be there soon.

Carren: Meet him at the bonfire. (Sam and Dadachi nod) (Carren rushes off)

Dadachi: I’m guessing the festival’s almost over.

Sam: Yeah. Come on, we should hurry up before we miss it.

(They go to the bonfire; there, a dance is taking place) (There are many young men and women doing a native dance that looks like the imitation of a bear and a bird) (Dadachi notices Carren on her knees and a man with long hair standing over her; she looks nervous)

Chief: Samuel! Dadachi! Come! Join us in welcoming a friend! He is a very important figure in our community and holds a major part in the health of our forest by governing the lake.

Sam: Yeah, we met him earlier.

Chief: You did? You met Jake?

Sam: Yes, and his wife, Isabelle.

Dadachi: Yup. The king and queen of the mermaids.

Chief: Well! You two get around quickly! The meeting should go smoothly then. (He peeps over a group of people) Here he comes!

(Jake walks through the crowd; he’s wearing jeans, a white shirt, a jacket and sneakers)

Dadachi: (To Sam) Where did he get those clothes from?

Sam: Maybe there’s a city nearby? (Jake walks up to them and shakes the chief’s hand)

Chief: I’m glad to see you here Jake! Welcome! (Turns to Sam and Dadachi) You have already meet these two I’ve heard.

Jake: Yup. They stopped by the lake earlier. (To the guys) I hope you join the meeting and help discuss what to do about our little problem.

Sam: We will.

Chief: Come, to the bonfire. (They walk to a large area with large logs placed in a circle) Take a seat anywhere. We will start in a moment. (Sam and Dadachi take a seat; Jake sits close by) (The pup sits up in Sam’s lap, ears perked)

Jake: (To Sam) Is that your dog? I didn’t think there were any tame dogs in these parts.

Sam: Well, no. They were going to sacrifice it but I didn’t let them. We found it sitting around during the festival and it took a liking to me.

Jake: You’re a pretty nice guy Sam. You’ll be a great Master Magician, just like your father. (They end the conversation on that note)

Chief: Young dancers. Please clear the area immediately. We are about to start an important gathering. (All of the dancers leave reluctantly) (Chief walks over to Carren) You should retire for the night. It has been a long day for you.

Carren: Yes sir. (She stands and walks away with her head down; the man standing over her watches her leave, then sits down on a log) (Chief nods to him and smiles; the man grins back)

Chief: Gentlemen, we have come here today to discuss a very dire matter. The survival of our forest is being threatened by an unknown entity. As discussed last week, we have been on the lookout for a possible explanation; we now know that someone has been draining the water from our sacred lake. (An Elder stands)

Elder #1: We are in need of help from the Master Magician? Where is he Chief?

Chief: He’s sitting over there. (He points to Sam)

Sam: Hello-

Elder #2: What trickery is this?! The Master Magician has gotten YOUNGER!!

Elder #3: No. (Closely inspecting Sam) This is not who we think.

Sam: No, eh, you must be expecting my father, Montizuma… or Apollo, which is his real name. I’m his son, Samuel.

Elders: *GASP* (They look shocked)

Sam: What?

Elder #1: This BOY is the Master Magician?! He can’t be. He’s too young.

Sam: I’m twenty-three!

Elder #1: Where is your father?

Sam: (Solemnly) He died when I was thirteen. I lost the memories of my childhood the same day, so I can’t say much about him as it is. Five years ago, my mother told me that I was the next Master Magician. Since then, I have been doing my best to continue the good work my father has done, and even become better than him. If you would let me, I would like to help solve this problem as peacefully as possible.
(Pause)

Elder #3: MONTIZUMA DIED?!

Elder #2: SILENCE! (All goes quiet) Do you think you can help us?

Sam: Yes, I do.

Elder #3: Do you even have any experience outside of your dimension?

Sam: Well no… This is the first time I’ve ever left my dimension.

Random person: Ahh, we’re gonna die.

Chief: I’m confident that Sam will be able to save us and our forest. It shouldn’t be a problem for these two. (The man that was standing over Carren stands) Do you have something to say Asii?

Asii: Yes, I do. (To Sam) I heard that you stopped the sacrifice of the beast child earlier today. I want to know why.

Sam: I wasn’t going to let them kill this harmless pup because of its destructive parent. I don’t find that right.

Asii: So you think it is right for the pup’s demon father to come into our village and attack our people and destroy our home every full moon?

Sam: No. I would never think that. And to prove it, I’m going to return the pup to its family-

Everyone: WHAT!?

Sam: -and try to peacefully detain its parent.

Asii: And what if you can’t? What if only one of its own kind is able to stop it?

Sam: (somewhat confidently) That shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Dadachi: Sam what are you doing? Don’t tell them.

Sam: Why not? They should know.

Asii: So you think you are strong enough to stop a creature that is half man, half beast?

Sam: (Puts the pup on the ground and stands) I don’t think I am. I KNOW I am because I’m a werewolf myself. (Grins) Unless we’re talking about something else here, in which case, please inform me now. (Asii is surprised)

Everyone: You’re one of them!?

Dadachi: (Shaking his head) Now you’ve done it.

Sam: (sighs) Yes and no. My aunt turned me into a werewolf with a spell but I do not rampage villages or harm anyone… (He walks into the center of the ring and stands by Chief) I already know that there is another way to stop a werewolf, and it doesn’t involve killing it.

Chief: Now that’s the mark of a true Master Magician. (Pause) If anyone dislikes the idea of Sam and his friend returning the water to the lake then you may leave now. (Asii walks off; so do a few others) Alright, now with the opposition gone… We can now discuss what to do from here.

Elder #3: We have already spotted the person stealing the water, we just cannot find her.

Dadachi: A woman huh? So is she a witch?

Chief: We believe so.

Jake: I have yet to see a normal person fly off with a broom before. (Shrugs)

Sam: Do you know what she looks like?

Chief: She is young, radiant, short brown hair, and a round face. She can’t be older than my daughter, who’s only twenty.

Sam: We’ll look for her as soon as we can. Oh, also, is there another village or town nearby?

Jake: Yeah. It’s only a mile away.

Sam: Okay. Thank you. (Aside) Figures he would know.

Chief: Then it’s settled! You two will go into town and look for the girl tomorrow. (Sam nods) Alright, meeting over. Everyone take care and have a good night. (Sam walks back over to Dadachi)

Sam: Well we have a lead.

Dadachi: Yeah. We can go first thing tomorrow morning. (Looks over to where Carren was sitting) … Hey Sam?

Sam: Yeah?

Dadachi: I’ll be back soon. There’s something I want to check out.

Sam: Um, sure? I’ll see you later then. (Picks up the pup)

Dadachi: Cool. This shouldn’t take too long. (Both start walking in opposite directions)