The Vanishing Stone

The Vanishing Stone by Keisha Biddle

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Authors: Keisha Biddle
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Raphael.
                    “Well, follow me to my house and I will show you the map I have. There is a secret tunnel we can use. We should be able to come up with something.”

 
     
     
     
    7
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    T he group of now five started walking to the east along a small trail. Raphael began talking about the map and things around the castle, “There's a secret tunnel behind the fountain on the East side of the castle. No one really knows about it so it stands unguarded and is never used. Problem is, who ever goes there will have to know how to swim because the moat is approximately ten feet deep. But we may need to find another option because it was rumored that King Kerusso put some sort of creature in the water to attack someone if they entered the water. I'll look more into that.”
                     While Raphael was explaining this, Nikoleta was thinking about how dangerous this mission was going to be. Her life was possibly at risk, but to her it would all be worth it since her parents have done so much.
                    “Now,” Raphael continued, “once you go through the tunnel you'll swim about twenty feet out and see a ladder on your right. You climb the ladder and push the loose block up then you can climb into the dungeon where Jack and Amelia are. You'll just have to take them out the same way you came in.”
                  “It seems simple enough. We can do it,” Nikoleta said, bravely. “Yeah!” Kibbie exclaimed. “We are team, we're in this together!” Day and Bosh smiled.
       “So, Nikoleta , how did you find us?” Raphael asked curiously. “Well, one night I found this necklace and it brought me here when I put it on. So, here I am," she answered with a smile and a shrug.
                     “Nice. Well, you all look tired. Why don’t we let you all rest when we get to my home? I can also fill your bellies," Raphael offered. “Yes, that would be good, we need some rest and a warm meal," Bosh replied.
                     They began walking and stayed along the trail. After a little while, they came to a stone bridge. Kibbie's feet and wings were getting tired again so she sat on Nikoleta shoulders. They crossed over the bridge and Nikoleta started whispering to Kibbie, “Hey, um, I just want to thank you, for everything, for helping me, giving me the letter. It means a lot.”
                    “Oh, it's nothing. What are sisters for?” Kibbie and Nikoleta smiled at each other.
     
    They finally arrived at the village. It was full of people. Everyone was busy and working. There were people selling fruit, vegetables, fish, bread, clothing, pottery. Nikoleta noticed a woman making a dress on some sort of sewing apparatus. Continuing their walk, which seemed like another mile, they started to come to the houses. Around that it was quieter than it was by the shops. The houses were small compared to any house Nikoleta had ever seen before. They were made of different colored stone; red, gray, brown. The roofs were made of straw. Some of the homes had small gardens in front of them of flowers or vegetables. The village felt eerie to Nikoleta despite the gardens and busy shops. The people just didn’t seem happy. It was as if all the joy had been sucked from their lives. They stopped in front of a brown, stone house.
                     “This is my home," Raphael said. “Oh, I haven’t been here in a long time. I miss it!” said Kibbie. “Why dont you all stay here with me until we complete our... ahem ...mission? So you don’t have to travel?” Raphael suggested. “That sounds like a good idea," Day answered. Raphael opened the wooden door to his home and they all walked in.
                    “Sorry if it seems messy,” Raphael apologized, “I'm not here often being as how I work at the castle and all. I mostly lend it to my visitors that

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