Nala raised her eyebrows and looked up suspiciously. For a moment she thought she’d heard something in the trees. Seeing nothing however, she lowered her eyes and thought little else of it, leading the four young hopefuls ever deeper into the forest. The children tailed her every inch of the way, passing many trees and ugly looking toadstools, before Meo, unable to restrain herself any longer, asked.
“Nala why did that wizard give you your clothes? Is it because you saved him from a monster like us?
“Meo! Not now okay. Have a little patience will you!” said Amanie, gritting her teeth.
The last thing she wanted to do was annoy Nala. Especially now they were so close to finding the magic fairy ring.
“But I wanna know.”
“Well the world doesn’t revolve around you.” said Amanie.
“Look who’s talking.” retorted Meo.
“Hmmm... You’re not going to let this one go are you?” smiled Nala, stepping in before things got out of hand. “I can tell.”
Meo’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“So does this mean your going to tell us then?” replied Meo.
“Perhaps.” teased Nala.
“Please if you don’t tell us our brains’ll explode and we’ll die.” pleaded Meo.
“That doesn’t sound too good.”
“Pleeeeeaaaaase.”
“Oh okay, okay! you twisted my arm.”
Nala took a few moments to reflect, before beginning her story.
“I just did the wizard a little favour that's all.”
“A favour.” echoed Meo.
“Yeah he lost all of his powers after an evil wizard cast a spell on him. I just helped him to get them back, that’s all. Of course he was very grateful for my help.”
“How did you do that?” inquired Meo.
Nala took another moment to reflect, which the children assumed was intended to keep them in suspense.
“I helped him find the magic crystal and restore his powers.” she added, after a short pause.
“The magic crystal! Was that the only way he could get his powers back then?”
“Yes pretty much.”
“But how did you know where to find it?” inquired Amanie.
“My, my! Don’t you ask a lot of questions.”
“Sorry.”
“Oh well, it’s only natural I suppose.”
This time an even longer pause ensued, so much so that after a while the children assumed Nala had simply forgotten to answer their question.
“So how did you know where to find it?” asked Meo, repeating the question, not one to let sleeping dogs lie.
“Well now if I were to tell you that I’d have to let you in on another little secret, now wouldn’t I?” said Nala, fiddling with the gold pendant around her neck.
“Please! We won’t tell anyone, will we?” promised Amanie, looking to the others for back up.
“Nope not a soul.” promised Meo.
“My lips are sealed.” Botog reassured her.
“Miou, Miou!” squeaked Tidimew.
“Well then, since you put it like that, I suppose I might be a little more forthcoming.” said Nala.
The children’s eyes lit up, sparkling with anticipation, glittering excitedly like they were full of stars.
“It’s my necklace you see. It senses all things magical. Whenever I get close to something with magical powers it vibrates. The closer I get the more it vibrates. The further I am the less it vibrates.”
“But I thought you said it was a protective amulet for warding off evil creatures and keeping you safe from harm.” said Amanie.
“Well.. erm.. yes. It does both.”
“Is it vibrating now.” asked Meo.
“Erm yes a little bit. It can sense the magic fairy ring’s nearby.”
“Can I feel?” said Amanie.
“Erm no, better not. It’s very sensitive you see. You might upset it.”
“Ohh... Okay.” said Amanie, clearly disappointed, after all this wasn't exactly the answer she was expecting.
“So is that how you found the magic fairy ring?” inquired Meo, wide eyed and inquisitive as ever.
“Erm yes, something like that I suppose.”
“But I thought you said it was fate?” replied Botog.
“Yes well, it... It’s a long story really, much too complicated to go into now.” explained Nala, sounding a little flustered or just impatient perhaps.
“Did you ever try it on? the ring I mean.” asked Amanie.
“Only once. After all it’s only natural to be curious.” said Nala, regaining her composure.
“What was it like?” inquired Amanie.
“Erm fitted like a glove actually, almost as if it was tailor made. I had to force myself just to take it off it was so pretty. I know you'll feel the same.”
“No, I mean what was it like being invisible?”
“Invisible? How do you mean?” asked Nala.
“The ring makes you invisible doesn’t it? You said so yourself or did the book get that bit wrong as well?”
“Erm... Oh yes! Sorry you lost me there for a moment. What was I thinking? Invisible, yes of course it makes you invisible.”
“What was it like? Did it make you feel giddy at all or like you had butterflies in your stomach?”
“Erm it’s kind of like.” Nala paused for a moment and gave it some thought. “I don’t know. It’s kind of hard to explain really.”
“Like being in a dream.” suggested Amanie.
“Yes, I guess that's a pretty good way of putting it. Very poetic actually”
“Can you still see your self? Not in the mirror I mean, but if you look say directly at yourself, like at your hand for instance.”
“Oh yes, fingers, toes, warts and all.”
“So then it’s only other fungi who can’t see you?” inquired Botog.
“Yes pretty much.”
“Oh, oh! What did you wish for? Did you cast any spells?” asked Amanie, who was growing ever more excited at the thought of getting her hands on the magic fairy ring.
“Wish for... I erm... wished for flowers.” said Nala.
“Flowers!” exclaimed Amanie, surprised that anyone could wish for so little. “Is that all?” she asked.
“Yes.” Nala nodded in the affirmative.
“But that seems like such a waste?” replied Amanie. “And why flowers? Couldn't you think of anything else.”
“I don’t care much for material things. Besides I’m the rings guardian. It’s not for me to take advantage of it and to be perfectly honest, as long as I have food and shelter I'm happy.” Nala smiled contentedly.
“So you’re not supposed to use it then?” asked Amanie.
“No my job is to guard it, pure and simple. Nothing else.”
“Really! I’m not sure if I could be that self controlled.”
“Well I’m an adult. I’ve had plenty of practice.”
“But what if someone finds out you used it to wish for flowers? Wouldn’t you get into trouble?”
“Well not if you don’t tell anyone. Besides that can just be our little secret.”
“Our lips are sealed. You have my word.” Amanie pursed her lips, squeezed them between her teeth and made a zipping motion with her right hand, emphasizing her point.
“You’re becoming quite my little confidante aren’t you.” Nala smiled complacently.
“So is that how you became the rings guardian? Because you wouldn’t use it for personal gain.”
“Flowers not included of course.” winked Botog.
“Ha! Yes indeed it is my little sugar plum. Besides I’d much rather give it to someone who'd enjoy it, provided they're pure of heart of course.”
“So you’re content to live simply then.”
“Yes! My, my that’s spot on. How very grown up you are.” said Nala, the egg white pallor of her eyes glistening in the shadows.
“Thank you.” said Amanie, finding it hard not to smile, who was flattered to be thought of in such a light. Especially by someone as beautiful as Nala. “I hope you’re paying attention Meo.” she added cheekily.
“Hmmph!” Meo raised her eyebrow and snorted.
“I wish I were as beautiful as you though.” added Amanie, meaning Nala of course.
“Why thank you that’s very kind of you, though I'm sure you’re pretty enough as it is. Indeed I’ve seldom set eyes on one as lovely as you.” replied Nala with an air of friendly sincerity. “Besides I’m really not that beautiful.”
“Yes you are! You’re one of the most beautiful fungi I’ve ever seen, or at least you and Princess Amelia are anyway.”
“Well I can’t say I’ve ever met princess Amelia, but I’m sure she’s very beautiful. So thank you. Of course I’m sure I’m not half as lovely as she is, but still it's very nice of you to say so.” replied Nala.
“Yes you are! Isn’t she Tidimew?” said Amanie.
“Miou, Miou!!” chirped Tidimew.
“How about you guys? What do you think?” she asked, rallying around for support.
“Yeah they could be sisters, all she needs is a crown.” said Botog.
“Yeah with a little make up she might even look as good as me.” joked Meo, grinning cheekily from ear to ear.
“My, my, aren’t you sweet? I could almost eat you up.” grinned Nala, cupping her hands in front of her breastbone. “Better not throw any more compliments my way, or else I might just gobble you up on the spot.”
The children giggled, a happy chorus which soon drew to a close, spurned by the gloom in a wilderness which held no place for happiness, unaccustomed as it were to things like joy or content.
“Hey Amanie! I bet you wish you had boob’s like Nala’s don’t you? At least then Tidimew would have something soft to rest her head between.” sniggered Meo.
Amanie looked mortified.
“Shut up Meo!” she snapped, blushing as red as an apple. “You’re the one who wants them, not me.”
“Ha!
Amanie wants boobies! Amanie wants boobies!” sung
Meo, as loud as a
lark, only
embarrassing Amanie even
more.
Botog began to snigger in spite of himself.
“Shut up Botog! It’s not funny!” snapped Amanie.
“Amanie wants boobies! Amanie wants boobies!” sung Meo all the louder, much too Amanie’s annoyance.
“You’d better shut up right now Meo or else I’m going to yank your tail off and use it as a scarf.” she warned.
“Now, now children, keep your voices down please. We don’t want to attract any unwanted attention now do we.” said Nala, thinking she had better intervene before things got out of hand.
Meo stopped singing. Amanie frowned, blushing madly, her cheeks glowing red like hot embers or ripe red tomatoes. Tidimew squeaked like a mouse, flailing her little arms and legs about and pointing at something up ahead.
“Look we’re almost there see. That’s where I keep the magic fairy ring.” said Nala, pointing at a huge, hollowed out tree with a gaping mouth and two dark, cavernous holes like eyes.
The children gulped, stopping dead in their tracks, as a look of consternation washed over their faces. The tree stared back at them with its large, hungry mouth and hollow eyes, ready to gobble them up whole without even battering an eyelid.
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