Nature and Blight

  Chapter 42: A Spark of Revenge

  The Siege (Blight’s Encampment)

  One waited for the words. It came suddenly and she rushed to do the job. It wasn’t difficult. She had the necessary tools, after all.

  “What’s that?” the mercenary asked.

  “What’s what?”

  “That rustling in the woods.”

  “I don’t know?”

  Roar!

  “Yeaagh!”

  “Bear!”

  She moved without opposition because to oppose her was to be eaten. Her destination was known, she’d visited the sites before, she been instructed what to do and agreed to finish the deed. She needed help, though, because timing was critical. She made her way down through the rocks, through the fissures to the caves below. They were as a second home to her. She didn’t particularly like the idea but could see with her own eyes the necessity. The others, those who held evil in their hearts, were everywhere up top.

  “Hello, Squeal.”

  “Hello, Berta. Is it time?”

  “Yes, count to three hundred then leave your mark.”

  She knew the time necessary because she’d traversed the distances before. Three locations, three points of interest, three caverns with three individuals ready to strike a blow on Mother Nature’s behalf.

  “Hello, Screech.”

  “Hello, Berta.”

  She informed the second and rushed to tell the third. it would be over in seconds, the deed done and her world altered forever. She found comfort in the caves, places to relax, places to rest, places to reside. The result of her actions would eliminate their appeal, bring down the house so to speak, by literally bringing down the roof. She thought it okay. The result was necessary. The beasts could not be allowed to win.

  “Hello, Grunt.”

  “Hello, Berta. I suppose it’s time?”

  “Yes.”

  She’d shown them how to accomplish the task after the little one, the Elfin named Tweedlewink, informed her of his plan. It was quite simple. She had not the knowledge nor the learning to understand the chemistry involved but could readily see the tiny creature knew his business. He’d given her insight, shown her the way a piece of specific rock, a simple stone, when struck by another would give a spark. The Piglets were amazed with the discovery. They’d practiced it with glee. They practiced it with awe. They practiced it far from the fine black powder poured in a line at the far end of the caves.

  “Please, whatever you do, don’t strike the stones near the powder until I tell you.”

  Tweedlewink’s advice had been followed. She’d never seen the results up-close but had seen the outcome many times. She had no wish to be near the area when the sparks flew. She made the Piglets dash out the escape route to verify they could reach safety in time. They proved they could.

  “They’ll have thirty seconds to leave. After that, if they’re in the caves, they’ll remain there forever.”

  She’d waited. She heard the Elfin’s voice speak to her through Nature’s amulet. She set off to fulfill her promise, sadness in her heart for the loss of her sanctuaries and deep grief for the loss of the others, the ones she’d finally befriended, the ones she would avenge; the Elfin of Breathtaking Forest.

  The Care-Bear spoke the words and three Piglets stuck their hooves against a smooth black stone which sat upon another. A stone which sat next to powder. Powder laid down by an Elfin with explosive knowledge. An Elfin with revenge on his mind. An Elfin with the power to respond.