It was a frog. It was a three and a half foot, standing on two long legs, frog.
Nellie realized her mouth was hanging open and quickly closed it. She cleared her throat and twisted around.
“Uh… Brody,” she called, unsure. She tensed, clutching her wooden sword up to her chest as more frogmen appeared from the weeds. “Brody!”
“Oh, good, you’ve found them,” Brody said, taking his hand off his steel sword. “Calix, get a vantage to get the numbers. Itzel…” He pulled a crumpled paper from his pocket. “Fayzer barry-cada de fogo… Sem ree-coo-are…?”
Itzel’s dark eyes looked worried. She twisted the hem of her shirt anxiously with one hand, clutching a long, beaten wooden stick with the other.
“Um… fire,” Brody said, pointing to a clump of dry, tall grass. He looked back at his paper. “Which was fire… Fogo?” He gestured to the grass. “Fogo.” He pointed at the frogmen. “No fogo.”
Itzel nodded slowly.
“Nellie, you’ll be with me ushering them into the trailer” Brody said. “Cal, how many?”
“I see twelve,” Calix called from somewhere about Nellie’s head.
“Itzel, fogo,” Brody said pointing to the grass. “Ready, Nellie?”
She nodded meekly despite not feeling at all ready. She was still grasping with being stared at by huge frogs. She cringed as one licked its orb-like eye.
The fire was lit, and the frogmen scattered. Calix yelled out positions and numbers from his perch. Brody must have been moving them into the waiting trailer successfully because the numbers were dwindling, and Nellie was confident she was doing nothing but run in circles.
“Two,” Calix called out. “Nellie, left shoulder! Brody, right knee! Ah, one! Nellie, behind!”
“Got it,” Brody said triumphantly. “Nellie, tell Itzel to stop the fire, and head for the truck.”
It was easier said than done to get Itzel to stop. The first hurdle was physically getting near enough to the young mage with her gleefully setting fire to whatever was dried near her. The next was the language barrier, which initially had Itzel set even more fires until the whole marsh was burning. She caught on once Calix and Brody were frantically kicking mucky water at the flames.
Nellie dragged herself back to the two trucks, one a muddy pickup hitched with a trailer and the other with a large cabin. Ira was speaking softly to the pickup’s driver–a middle-aged man in hunter fatigues. She was too singed, muddy, and damp to eavesdrop and headed for the larger truck.
“Are you the mage,” the man asked, breaking off his conversation with Ira.
“No,” Nellie said. “That’s Itzel.”
“This is Perenelle Herle,” Ira introduced. “Nellie, this is Keeper Orwell.”
“Herle,” Orwell mused, shaking Nellie’s hand as if she were an adult. “I briefly knew a Herle once. Englishman.”
“Her father,” Ira said.
“Really,” Orwell said in polite surprise. He bent to look her in the face. “Yes… I can see some resemblance.”
“Thanks,” Nellie said as she awkwardly leaned away.
Orwell straightened and turned his full attention back to Ira. “Herle was dreadfully serious from what I remember. Not at all like your father. When he turned out to be the Protector of the Realm… Well, I thought we were lost.”
Ira gave a tense smile. He gestured towards Calix and Brody. “Please, allow me to introduce you.”
Nellie slipped into the truck, startling when she found it wasn’t empty. Itzel waved meekly, curling against the door.
“Some night, huh,” Nellie said, slumping against the door. She watched Orwell shaking hands with Calix and Brody, their expressions flitting between pride and unease. “I think we did pretty well. Silas said frog-like water guardians, but I still wasn’t prepared for that.” She glanced at Itzel who was watching her in the dark cab with her large, dark eyes. Nellie had to remind herself that Itzel was two years older than her, and much more powerful in quiet moments like this.
She scooted into the middle as Brody climbed in. Calix took the front with Ira.
“We should arrive at our lodgings within fifteen,” Ira said, starting the truck. “We’ll stop at the Conservatory in Nahma tomorrow to check in on the frogmen before I drop you at the airport in Escanaba.”
There was a heavy silence in the truck. There was not a great amount of adrenaline to come down from, but they had run around a lot. They were starting to feel the hour time difference–for Nellie it was her timezone when she wasn’t at the compound–and it felt much later than shortly after sunset.
“Highness,” Brody squeaked. He cleared his throat. “Highness, I looked up frogmen to prepare for this mission… Aren’t we too far north?”
“Likely,” Ira said with a final sort of tone.
“Mr. Javernick says frogmen relocated often,” Calix said, twisting to address Brody better. “Too many developments in Ohio, so to Michigan. But, same situation.”
“And this group escaped en route to the Conservatory,” Nellie added. “Silas just asked if we could help for experience.” She leaned over into the front seat, looking at Ira. “Why you’re our chaperon is the bigger question.”
“The Order of Ferblanc and the Keepers both have presence here,” Ira said plainly. “I’m to speak with them.”
Brody was staring at his lap, frowning. “It… just seems too cold for amphibians….”
“The Keepers will monitor this population,” Ira said. “Their children will be better suited and able to be released.” He smiled into the rearview. “It’s admirable you show them concern.”
Calix turned towards them, flashing Brody a sturdy thumbs up.
They pulled into a parking lot for a large, yellow-bricked building. There was a small, rounded awning held by four white columns over the turquoise front door. Perched high above the door on the roofline was a cross made of the same yellow brick as the building.
Ira had his own room with a private bathroom. Calix and Brody shared a room with two full-sized beds while Nellie and Itzel were in a room with two single beds. The four of them didn’t have private bathrooms and had to take turns getting ready for bed in the communal one.
Nellie left the bathroom dressed in floral pajama bottoms and an oversized t-shirt. She stopped short to avoid colliding with Ira.
“Where’re you going,” Nellie asked, taking in that he hadn’t changed yet.
“To visit Cecily,” Ira said. “She should be here by now.”
“Let me put my toothbrush away,” Nellie said excitedly.
They were crossing the dark, back lawn five minutes later. Nellie crossed her arms tightly against the night air. It was a warm enough night, but she had never been so far north.
Cecily was in a grove of trees. Her wings glowed in the moonlight as she rustled them, chirping a happy greeting to them. She nuzzled Ira and scratched the ground with her front talons as if dancing in place.
Nellie felt a pang in her chest as she watched Ira smile softly, murmuring into the gryphon’s black, feathered head. She hadn’t seen Ash in nearly five weeks. The Regere’s offer to bring him to Silas’s compound drifted through her mind.
“Are you meeting up with Penny after you’re done doing… whatever it is here?”
“It’s unclear,” Ira said, giving Cecily a hearty pat. “I’d like to, but, unfortunately, my primary function is political and things are becoming very political.”
“Because… we just had an election,” Nellie asked unsurely.
Ira smirked, shaking his head. “A change in a country’s leadership is, of course, something I need to know and keep in mind, but no.” He gave Cecily one more pat before backing away. “Morgan has said nothing to you?”
She felt a twinge of frustration at Ira’s skirting around information. He was unhelpful when shown the dragon research. He was evasive on what he was doing next.
“Morgan doesn’t know most of what his dad gets up to,” Nellie said coolly. “He can’t even tell me where the Auctorita headquarters are.”
“To offer a defense, when you’re a child being ushered back and forth it does get confusing on where things are located,” Ira said.
They broke from the trees, walking slowly back up towards the brick building. She waited for Ira to expand on his defense with either the location or what it was Morgan could potentially have told her that was related to what he was doing, but nothing came. She stopped abruptly to force him to do the same.
“What’s going on,” Nellie asked. “You’re meeting with the Order, and the Keepers, and this all has to do with something you thought Morgan would know. It’s something I should know then, right?”
Ira stared at her, weighing what to say. She could practically see the scales balancing over his head.
“The Regere has been working for the last decade to turn the Auctorita home base into a legal, sovereign, internationally recognized state.”
“Like… its own country?” She frowned at Ira’s nod. “But…? Wait, what’s that mean for you and your dad? Or for the Realm in general?”
“Those are the big questions that my father needs answers to,” Ira said. “As this is a most important matter, I’m his ambassador to ask these questions.” He sighed heavily, staring into the starry sky. “It’s taking away from my search for my mother.”
“I can help look for your mom,” Nellie offered.
“You already are,” Ira said, smiling. “You, Penny, and I are in this together whether we’re physically together or not.”
The bubbles of pride and affection burst as a roar ripped the air. Nellie shrunk next to Ira, scanning the sky for the source of the heavy wing beats. She stole a look at the backdoor they’d been aiming for, her stomach sinking as it seemed to stretch away.
“Down,” Ira ordered, throwing her into the ground.
She felt his arm leave her back, heard his footsteps thudding away. She peeked up while keeping as flat as she could; her heart dropping as she watched him throw himself aside to avoid the talons of a calf-sized creature with a large rack of antlers.
“Nellie,” Ira called. “Get inside!”
He scrambled up and bolted for the trees. The animal made a wide turn with its red, leathery wings and swooped down at Ira again.
Nellie ran for the door, throwing herself through. She gulped at the air, flinched at the roar outside, and raced upstairs. She pounded on Calix’s and Brody’s door.
“Cryptid!” She pounded on her own door. “Creature! Ira needs help!” She tried Ira’s door but found it locked. “No, no!”
“Nellie, what–?” Brody looked half asleep, trying with difficulty to slip his feet in his shoes.
“I need your sword,” Nellie said. “Quick!” She shoved Brody aside—Calix pulling his sheets up to his chin—and took the sword from beside the door. She heaved it up, staggered, and headed back downstairs.
Cecily had joined the battle. She was slamming the creature aside when it swooped at Ira, screech-roaring and snapping at it with her sharp, curved beak. Ira looked more distressed, more frantic as he waved his arms and shouted to get the creature’s attention to stop it from fighting Cecily fully.
“Ira!” Nellie waved at him, pointing to Brody’s sword. “Ira! I got you a sword!”
The creature snapped its head towards her, and her breath died in her throat.
It had a human face. Unmistakably human even in the dark and at the twenty or so yards of distance. Its green, scaly body glittered as it bounded towards her on its four, massive bird feet. Its long tail whipped around as it got closer and closer.
Nellie couldn’t move. She was still staring in horror at the bearded face. The yellow eyes were locked on her.
Flames erupted in front of her, causing her to fall backwards. Itzel–in a princess nightgown–stepped next to her with her staff in her hands.
The creature roared, rearing up to swipe the air above. Calix was leaning from a window, shooting.
“Did it get you,” Brody asked, pulling Nellie up. He took the sword, eyeing the cryptid. “Wu–what is that thing?”
“I don’t–.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Brody interrupted. He tested the weight of his sword, sizing up the creature. He peered through Itzel’s flames at Cecily–now charging the creature again–and Ira. “His highness would fare better… I need to get this sword to him.”
“I’ll distract the… thing,” Nellie said, trying to sound resolute through the quiver in her voice. She looked at Itzel. “Come with me?”
“Calix,” Brody called, “cover the girls!”
Nellie ran out around the fire. She shouted, jumping and waving her arms. She could hear the wing beats, feel them. Her heart jumped as they grew loud enough to shake her body. She stumbled as a blast of fire warmed her back, landing hard on the ground and biting her lip. She spit out the blood as she clawed up to her feet, limping the first few steps until she was trotting again.
An earsplitting scream forced her to stop. She spun and felt her blood turn cold.
The creature had landed on Itzel. She was pressing her staff up against its neck to stop it from biting her with its needle-like teeth.
Nellie looked around for something to throw, finding nothing in the dark. She ran off, being sure to keep enough distance that it couldn’t claw her.
“Hey,” Nellie snapped, waving at it. “Hey, you! Come get me!” She shrunk as it stared at her, but she rooted her feet. “I see you, you creep! Come get–!”
She cried out, knocked over by the creature’s long, whipping tail. Her arm was gushing blood and she spotted a shining, hooked claw on the end of the tail as the cryptid snaked it through the air. Her blue eyes widened as the clawed tail swung towards her face.
Brody jumped in front of her, swinging a sword clean through the end of the creature’s tail. He stood ready to counterattack, dodging as the creature swiped, but getting caught and tossed by the spurs on the animal’s wing joints.
Fire sprung across the grounds. Itzel had rolled onto her stomach, half propped up by her staff, clutching it with both hands.
Ira ran up to them with Calix on his heels. Calix was holding his arm like his shoulder was injured, but Nellie didn’t see blood.
“Dimopoulos, cover them,” Ira ordered. “Jones, can you stand?”
“Yes, highness,” Brody said, hastily jumping up. “Just ripped my pajamas.” He held out the sword he held. “Your sword, highness.”
“Broke your door,” Calix explained, grimacing as he held his arm. “Sorry.”
“For later,” Ira said. “At the moment, just get the girls back indoors.” He switched swords with Brody. “Jones, keep to the building. It can’t swoop you there. Ready? Go!”
Nellie grabbed Itzel’s arm and pulled her up, half trying to explain and half trying to breathe as they sprinted for the door. Itzel being distracted caused her fires to wane into smoulders, giving the creature renewed vigor now that it could see and smell them clearer. Nellie could hear the wing beats getting closer, closer, until she could feel them in her chest.
Calix spun, hurled a grenade with a pained cry as his arm flopped about. It exploded in a puff of putrid smoke that sent them coughing and caused Nellie’s stomach to churn.
The smoke cut as soon as they shut the doors behind them.
“What’s going on out there,” an elderly man asked.
He was not alone. The hallway was packed with what looked like all the guests and staff. Some were muttering to go out the front to see what all the noise was, others to call the police.
“Nellie,” Calix murmured, crouching to her level, “keep them in.”
He darted back outside before she could ask him how.
“Arm,” Itzel said, twisting from Nellie’s grip. Nellie blushed at the fading mark of her hand.
“Where are your parents,” a short woman asked them, eyeing them suspiciously.
Calix reappeared before Nellie had to lie. His disheveled hair, rotten smoke stink, and uncomfortably dangling arm spiked the tension building in the crowded hall.
“There is gas leak,” Calix announced to the hall. Cecily’s screeching roar sounded outside. “Very dangerous leak.”
“There are no gas lines out there,” a tall man dressed in slacks and a collared shirt said.
“There’s some boy with a sword at the front door,” a shrill voice said from the back of the mob. “He won’t let us leave!”
“Ira’s fighting that thing alone,” Nellie whispered to Calix.
“The gryphon is there,” Calix murmured back.
There had to be something she could do. Calix, Brody, and even Itzel had a better chance at assisting Ira in combat, but Calix couldn't hold a bow and Itzel’s nightgown was blossoming with blood. Calix and Brody were also now stuck trying to contain the increasingly agitated mob from going outside and getting ripped apart.
“My phone…,” Nellie muttered.
“Is that girl bleeding?”
“Yes,” Nellie piped up, taking Itzel’s arm again. “Let us through, please.” She looked back at Calix as a path cleared for them. “I have the Order on my phone. Hold out just a little longer.”
They hurried back to their room, Nellie being sure to release Itzel to not bruise her further along the way. Nellie grabbed her phone from the night table and went to a contact labeled: **EMERGENCY!!!!
‘Order of Ferblanc.’
“H-hi, this is Perenelle Herle,” Nellie said. “I’m with Ira York in Garden, Michigan. He’s being attacked by some… uh, thing? There’s a lot of normal people here, and we’re having a hard time keeping them inside.”
Itzel tapped her shoulder. She gestured to the blood on her nightgown with a scowl.
“Oh, and we have injuries,” Nellie added.
‘The Knights will be there in three, Miss Herle. Anything else, Miss Herle?’
“This cryptid has a human face,” Nellie said. “I-I don’t know if that’s relevant, but… it’s better they know before seeing it.”
‘Understood, Miss Herle; we thank you. They’ll be there now.’
“Thanks,” Nellie said, exhaling. She hung up and took a few deep breaths. She smiled weakly at Itzel. “I think we should stay up here and wait for medics. Or whatever.” She winced as she touched the tacky blood on her arm.
“It hurt,” Itzel asked quietly.
“A little,” Nellie said. “How about you?”
Itzel studied the blood on her nightgown. She sighed heavily. “Ruined.”
They met each other’s eyes, smirked, and started giggling madly.
-----------------------------------
The frogmen at the Loveland Frogman. There were several reports from cops and random people over the years, but the reports did start to die off. Either the frogmen died out or the population moved. I wanted the teased fieldtrip to be something reletively harmless since Silas doesn't want any of them to get hurt.
What Brody was saying to Itzel sounds nothing like that in Portugese. I forgot what it was I typed it, but then I just wrote out what the works looked like as an English speaker and then played the sound to see how different it was. Very different.
The upper pennicula area of Michigan looks wild and crazy, so I thought it'd be a good spot for a Conservatory and a with all the old religious stuff in the area, it was good for the Order of Ferblanc too. There's a small hamlet called Devils Corner that I wanted to take advantage of, but didn't fit it in. The whole thing with the creating a new state/country is more for Ira's eventual story. Nellie gets obsticals like being a noob and young.
With the fight, Brody first shows up with his sword and gives his sword to Ira. Things are still bad, so Calix, being inside still, breaks down Ira's door to retrieve Ira's sword. He crushes his shoulder in the process but gets Ira's sword to Brody. And since I didn't get to say what the cryptid is here (hopefully next chapter) it's called a Piasa Bird. It lives in cliffs in the Illinois area of the Mississipi River, but with development migration I put it up here. I have a picture from my dragon book that I'll put in the chat.
