Poppin whisked over to him to hover in front of his face. “Friend Farrel please come with me. My brother, you must set him free,” she shrieked slapping his cheek with a tiny hand. The blow felt to Farrel like a large mosquito bite, but it had the desired effect and he blinked at the site of her in sudden comprehension.
Farrel retrieved his short sword and leaped over to the cage that held Poppin’s brother. The cage which held him was locked with a large padlock. Farrel raised his sword slowly lining up the lock.
“I’d really rather see, that instead you used the key. On the belt of the vile green one yonder it will be.” He said pushing himself against the far side of the cage, as far away from the lock and the sword as he could possibly get. Poppin hurtled over to the lifeless form of Mank and Farrel sheathed his short sword again.
“My name is Yarpi,” he said fluttering back over to the door of the cage looking relieved and extending a small hand.
“My name is Farrel,” he replied, extending a finger for Yarpi to shake. The fighting outside suddenly stopped, apparently over and Farrel realised they had run out of time. “Poppin, hurry!”
He turned to see her head in the goblin’s top pocket struggling to remove the keys. In a sudden panic Farrel leaped across the hut, grabbed the keys from Poppin and raced back to open the cage. As soon as the cage door opened Yarpi sped from it and did a spectacular loop to loop in the middle of the hut. Poppin was in his arms so quickly that all Farrel saw of her was a blur. Yarpi held Poppin in his arms firmly, but gracefully as the two spun elegantly in the air in a delicate aerial ballet. Each had a smile planted from ear to ear.
“Poppin, we have no time for dancing, we must leave now!”
In a blink Yarpi was standing on the earthen floor waving the tiniest bottle Farrel had ever seen under Gabrielle’s nose. Within seconds Gabrielle sat bolt upright sneezing wildly her eyes watering and nose running profusely. Groggily she looked around clutching her forehead in an attempt to stop it from throbbing.
“Farrel?” she said half dazed and barely audible. The silence outside the hut was finally broken by voices. Farrel’s heart crashed to the ground as his fear rose to new heights for not one of them was human.
“Can you walk?” Farrel asked Gabrielle as he helped her to her feet. She stood very unsteadily, swaying from side to side precariously.
“I think so,” she mumbled, her eyes unable to focus properly on anything around her. Farrel half lead half dragged Gabrielle out of the hole in the rear wall of the hut. They left the village and disappeared into the forest beyond with Yarpi leading the way. When they reached the cover of the forest they stopped for a few moments.
“We cannot leave, my father is down there still!” cried Gabrielle finally recovered enough to regain her senses.
Farrel looked to Poppin and Yarpi and they both shook their head in unison. Farrel sighed and then grabbed Gabrielle firmly on the shoulders.
“Your father gave his life to save you. Don’t make it his sacrifice meaningless.”
“I can’t leave him!” she yelled and tried to break free of his grip. She was too weak and instead fell into him. He held her tightly as she cried uncontrollably.
Another series of alarmed and angry shouting started from down in the village, the loud bellow from the orc rising above all the goblins. They had obviously found Mank.
“Come on lets go,” said Farrel dragging Gabrielle deeper into the forest. After only a short distance they both tripped in the undergrowth and stumbled on top of each other.
“It’s hopeless! They are going to hunt us. How are never going to escape?” cried Gabrielle.
“Hunt us they may, but very easy I will make our way,” said Yarpi. He sang several strange yet melodic words and right before their eyes the forest parted leaving a clear path for them to follow. As they moved forwards it closed again behind them leaving no trace of their passing.
Despite everything Farrel was amazed. When this was all over he would definitely have to return and learn some fairy magic.
END
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