is someone from outside the grotto,” Crys decided.
“Where are we going to find someone outside the grotto?” Sylvia asked. “We can’t leave.”
“Oh, how about that man?” Stormy asked.
“Man? What man?” Icy jerked Stormy into the center of a three sister circle.
They asked her all sorts of questions about the mortal man Stormy mentioned. Finally, the young woman collapsed into a sobbing heap. Her temper tantrums were legendary, often resulting in full-blown tornados ripping through the grotto. In order to calm their sister down, the others apologized and offered bribes of sweets from each of their domains. Berries and figs, seaweed sandwiches, and ice cream appeared in their hands magically and brought their emotional sister out of her depression. She chewed them thoughtfully as she tried to remember what she saw.
“He came in earlier today on a horse,” she said. “Set up a cute little camp with a tent and everything. About... a mile that way.”
She pointed directly towards the encroaching corruption.
The sisters joined heads and agreed that this man, whoever he was, could not stay long. Just long enough to settle their dispute. They followed Stormy’s directions and eventually found the little camp in the center of the prairie. The tent was large enough for two full-grown adults, though the human was alone. He wore shining metal armor emblazoned with the image of a red dragon on his chest. His horse, covered in red banners, grazed idly nearby.
Each sister wanted to attack the man for his greed. He moved rocks around, burned branches and grass, stole water, and sent a plume of smoke into the air. His wanton destruction of their grotto would be punished harshly. First, he must break their tie. But how to decide?
“Shouldn’t he decide the rules since he’s the judge?” Stormy asked.
“Once again, younger sister, your inexperience shows,” Icy wrapped a muscled arm around her sister’s shoulders. “If we set up the rules now, we can decide who he votes for without him actually saying anything.”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Stormy complained.
“It’s easy,” Sylvia explained. “Think of him like one of your field mice in a big maze. Whatever exit he chooses, whichever of us that is, is the winner. He doesn’t know he’s in a maze so he can’t influence the outcome.”
“Okay but how will we decide?” Stormy scratched her head, trying to understand it all.
“We are nymphs,” Crys said. “We decide how we always do.”
“Oh now you’re making it too easy,” Sylvia boasted.
“Don’t be so certain, Sylvia,” Icy glared at her flamboyant sister. “We have yet to decide who goes first.”
“Water is most important to the grotto,” Crys said. “I should go first.”
“But my wood covers the most area,” Sylvia objected. “It should be me.”
“My mountain is by far the largest,” Icy sneered.
“Who said it was your mountain anyway?” Sylvia complained. “You just sit on top of it.”
“But I have the most energy and the least experience with stuff like this,” Stormy interrupted. “Can’t I go first?”
“I think age should determine the order,” Crys offered.
“Yes, I should be first,” Icy smiled.
“Then me,” Crys added. “And then Sylvia.”
“Why do I go last?” Stormy pouted.
“They’re afraid I’ll win,” Sylvia said. “So they’re rigging the contest in their favor. Don’t worry about it. They’re so ancient they won’t get very far. You can watch me and learn from the master how it’s done, but I’m afraid you won’t get to try it on him since I’m going to win.”
“That’s totally not fair,” Stormy looked as if she was going to cry again. Another wave of food calmed her down.
“Then I will start tonight, before he has a chance to escape,” Icy declared.