Lost Histories ch. 3--Competition

In the town of North end, a few blocks north and slightly east was a large four-story mansion in a cluster of a stores and houses that surrounded a statue of Xavier. The house exterior was cut marble stones stacked half a doorway tall while the rest is concrete with a slate blue-grey roof.

The fox made his way towards the building before entering it. The interior had red slate tiles along with white ledgestone walls. The foyer was well lit by the large chandeliers in the middle. He was greeted by a young beautiful vixen wearing an ebony-coloured dress. Her fur was orange as the sunset accompanied by purple eyelids. She had ring piercings on her left ear.

“You’ve taken your sweet time Garret.”

“I need to speak to Albert immediately Poppy.”

“He’s upstairs galvanizing at his array of antiques as usual.”

Garret raced upstairs to the right where Albert’s room was. It was large with cases on right side filled with artifacts and antiques whereas the left had bookcases, and paintings. At the centre was a lounge with the nicely dressed fox, Albert, reading.

“Garret, what have you found out?”

“I have a recording relating to the buried skeleton in Blackwood I’ve found earlier.”

The two listen to the recording. When it had finished, the golden-eye fox said, “This is a great opportunity for us! That tablet the harrier founded must be related to Freyja’s crown. Why was the recording cut off? The last part was where the dog leaving to find it!”

“One of the guards there became suspicious, and I had to leave.”

Poppy came up with refreshments, “Freyja’s crown would look neat for my collection,” Albert continued, “If the mutt or his cohorts mean to get it, then I cannot allow them to get it before we can.

“Garret, take a few of my guards, and find out what the harrier’s up to. Don’t fight, don’t let them see you—then report back.”

“Yes sir!” he gave a salute before he went out.

When he had left, Poppy commented, “Are you sending your guards to their deaths to get some rare artifact like last time?”

“I’m sending scouts to monitor some mutt called Colin, who had info about the whereabouts of Freyja’s crown!”

“Would it make more sense to go to the museum and get more info on the crown instead of spying?”

“Oh my sweet vixen,” he tickled her jaw, “You just don’t understand the art of espionage.”

“Enlighten me.”

“Trust me, the porter won’t tell us anything. He knows we’re treasure hunters, and would mislead us to safeguard his collection.”

“I’m sure he will,” she walked out.


Colin was running towards home—hoping to reach Pine before the day ended. On the street corner he ran into another harrier named Doug, “Oof! Sorry, ‘bout that! I’m in a hurry!”

“Watch where you’re g—Colin?”

“Doug! Fancy running into you! How’ve you been cousin?”

“Quite well actually—what’s the hurry?”

“I was heading home to prepare for a road trip towards Sangen.”

“Sangen? What’s the occasion?”

Colin looked both ways before answering, “I’ve found a stone tablet over in Blackwood. The proprietor couldn’ translate it, so I’m heading to King’s museum along with the journal I’ve found next to it.

“Can I see it?”

“Not here, let’s go to my place where it’s safe.”

The two made it to his house where his mother, Caron greeted him, “Colin! Good to see you, come in!”

“Hi mum, where’s dad and Gwen?”

“They’re chust finishing up lunch. Doug! So happy you’ve dropped by! How’ve ya been?”

“Fine, ma’am.”

“You’re home early son, what’s the occasion?”

“I’ve uncovered a tablet and a chournal in Blackwood.”

“Interesting, do share with the rest of us!”

Colin and Doug went to the dining room where his father, Dewey and sister were putting away the dishes, “Colin! Didn’ expect you to be home so soon son! Hey there Doug!”

“Hello, sir.”

“I came home to prepare for a trip to Sangen.”

Gwen spoke up, “Sangen, what for?”
 
The harrier related the story he told to Marcus along with their discoveries. When he was finished, His father pointed out, “Silver fox Bandits? I thought they were called the Silver fox marauders.”

“That’s what I thought!” seconded Caron.

“Potāto, potato—they were fleeing from Lord Erin—something about the crown of Freja. The journal says the tablet might have something to do with the crown.”

“Interesting, if the crown is in Sangen, then why fight over the tablet? Why not chust go to the museum? Or was the crown not discovered back then,” his Gwen commented.

“It wasn’t discovered.”

“This sounds like an adventure! Can I come with you to Sangen? I haven’ been up over there before. And besides, I’m free all week.”

“Of course! It would be nice to have some company. I’m planning to leave soon after. I wanted to get to Pine before dark.”

“Coun’ me in too!” declared Gwen.

Everyone was slightly taken back by her announcement. Especially Caron, “Gwen, are you sure about this?”

“I’m not a pup! I’ve been helping out on the farm as long as I can remember. I want to explore the world outside of North End—be something more than a farmer.”

Dewey stood up with her, “She’s right, she a grown up harrier—we can’ keep her in a protective bubble. She needs to move on outside of harvesting—otherwise, she will never be ready. You can go if you wish Gwen, your mother and I will manache.

“Oh, thank you dad! I’ll miss you guys!” she hugged them, “Don’ worry, I’ll be careful.”

After the trio finished with their preparations, and goodbyes, Colin, Doug, and Gwen embarked on their journey.