Page 56 of Charmed

Stone didn’t answer.

“Are the gems really your king’s? Or did he steal them from someone else? My father claims they belong to him.”

“I don’t know, and honestly, I don’t care,” Stone told her.

“You didn’t even try to find out?” she asked in shock.

“In my line of work, you have to be careful what kind of questions you ask.”

“I see.” She didn’t really see, but was hesitant to pursue this right now.

“We need to walk faster.” He held out his hand and she took it.

Looking up the steep mountain it felt like they were never going to get to the top by Elric’s house. “Are we really going to hike all the way up there?”

“You didn’t want Medea’s help, so yes, we have to walk. Don’t worry, I’ll help you. It’ll be fine. Come on, let’s go.” Stone held her hand tightly and together they briskly followed the trail leading almost straight up, to Elric’s home.

“Mayhap we should wait for Lira,” suggested Persimmon, breathing heavier, the higher they got. “After all, she has a much better relationship with Elric than I do.”

“Mayhap it is time you change that,” Stone said as he moved in front of her and continued to climb.

“I cannot change something when I don’t know why it even exists in the first place.” She kept her eyes on the ground, not wanting to fall off the side of the mountain.

“Just ask him.”

“What?”

Stone stopped and turned to face her. “Ask Elric why he acts like he hates you. He doesn’t seem like the kind of man who bites his tongue, so I am sure he’ll tell you what is on his mind if you inquire.”

“I’m not certain I can do that.”

“Of course, you can. And I’ll be right there with you.” He held out his hand again and she willingly took it. Mayhap with Stone at her side she would have the courage and strength to face Elric and finally find out the secrets of the past.

They finally made it up to Elric’s dwelling. Stone made a fist and rapped upon the door.

“Who’s bothering me?” came Elric’s grumpy shout from within.

“You’d better say something,” whispered Stone. “If he knows it’s me, he’s likely to push us down the mountain.”

“Me?” Her hand went to her chest. “Are you forgetting he doesn’t like me?”

“He called me a big oaf and a fool. You are of his blood so we have a better chance if it’s you instead of me.”

“Fine.” She let out a deep sigh. “Father, it’s me,” she called out. “Please, let me in.”

“Lira?” The door swung open and the elf’s face appeared. “Oh, it’s you and the big oaf. Go away, I’m busy.” Elric tried to close the door on them, but Stone stuck his foot in the threshold and stopped him.

“Let us in, Elric.” Stone wasn’t going to back down.

“Nay! You are not getting the gemstones, so you might as well leave right now.” He clutched the bag of gems to his chest

“Do you ever put them down?” mumbled Stone.

“Father, we just walked all the way up the mountain to see you. We want to talk. Please, don’t turn us away.” Persimmon tried her best to convince Elric to let them enter.

“If I let you in, the big oaf needs to promise he is not going to try again to take my gemstones away from me.”

“You mean King Helix of Taelgonoth’s gems,” Stone corrected him. “Jewels that you stole.”