A Short Little Jaunt - Part 2

The following is a short story revolving around the fantasy story 'The Wall Outside'. There will be serveral parts, one each day until Oct 31st. It uses some of the characters of 'The Wall Outside', but is not part of main book. 'The Wall Outside' is currently available in digital format at http://www.amazon.com/The-Wall-Outside-Series-ebook/dp/B009FLOMLI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350814435&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wall+outside+by+james

And now, 'A Short Little Jaunt' . . . part 2

“That’s sort of my point,” Jonna reached into his pack, brought out some flint with tinder, and then struck it next to the wood.  The tinder caught, letting smoke waft up the chimney. 

As the room filled with yellow light, shadows played as the kettle hampered the flames.  When the flames touched the bottom of the kettle, it began to spark, glowing red.  A hissing began as the kettle’s contents started to bubble.

Bob The Pixie came closer to the fire.  “Wow, I didn’t realize how cold it really was!”  Rubbing his hands together, he held them out to the flame.  “Guess you were right about traveling south.  With winter coming, Washington State is definitely cooling down!”

“At least in our location,” Jonna frowned.  “I don’t remember it getting this cold this quickly.”  He waved a hand around the room.  “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear it feels like snow, and I don’t remember any inns like this either.  Are you sure this trail is a shortcut?”  A moaning wind weaved through the building.

The pixie shrugged.  “That’s what the sprite said.  Down the left fork in the trail, swing right, and---”  His voice came to a stop.  “Through the cave that looks like bear claws.”

“Bob, you said to the left, around the old grave, and down the trail by Dare Falls!”

“Did I?”  His eyes went wide.  “Oh yeah, of course, I was making up a poem and might of switched one verse for the instructions.”

Jonna stared, “You did what?”

“It’s the way I memorize instructions,” the pixie beamed.  “I create a poem so I don’t forget them. 
See, it works great.  Even now I know just where we went wrong.”  He patted his own back.  “Good work if I say so myself.”

Glancing up, the daylight had turned to twilight as the stars showed through the gaps in the roof over their heads. 

“Well trailblazer,” Jonna shook his head, “it looks like we’re here for night.  With the feel of snow and cold setting in, I’m not about to chance that trail in the dark.”

The putrid smell from before became worse.  Jonna tried to locate it by sniffing, but the moment he thought he had it, a sneaky wind blew it away.  “Did you smell that?”

“Smell what?” Bob looked around, still rather pleased he figured out why they went the wrong way. 
“Wow, look at that!”  He pointed at the kettle over the fire.  “The bottom is glowing bright red.”

Jonna reached forward to get the kettle out.

A deep, cracking, voice came from their right, followed by the thud of wood on wood.  “I wouldn’t do that.”
~ James William Peercy

For those interested, what is 'The Wall Outside' about?

Step across the barrier and what will you find?
A place of magic just out of sight?
A pixie, a leprechaun, or even a sprite?

What starts as a vacation, turns into a mess. For Jonna, there's
more at stake than meets the eye. Through pouring rain,
misdirection, and a curious mind, Jonna crossed the barrier
between our world and magic.

Now forced to return across the barrier, Jonna battles Dark Mages, angry leprechauns, and a ruthless Minotaur, all in an effort to find his wife. To do this, he must locate the stolen Rune Blade and rescue a beautiful elvish princess.

But what can a human do when faced with a world of magic?