~The Elven-names~ the shadow of a mystery

When Matt and I told the Keeper of the Legacy that it seemed like the Mormir knew who I was, his face grew grave.

 

"Then it is time for action; now, while we still have time. Mirluin, you will commence archery lessons with Weneithel at once. Mahtan, take one of the your friends and teach Thoron sword fighting." He looked from one to the other of us. "And keep a sharp eye and ear out for anything new happening."

 

So an even stranger phase of my life began. For most of the day I was pretending to live a normal life at school. In the evening I was an elven-named maiden, in training for a confrontation that was sure to occur. During this time Dad grew a little better. His life was definitely out of danger, but he was always very melancholy. A heavy burden seemed to be on him, and it felt like he could hardly bear to stay with the Elven-named always. And I was realizing that the people who dwelt in the Forest Palace had a strange attitude toward Dad. When they talked about him or to him, there was a slight stiffness, almost like disapproval, but a little different.

 

One day after school I was practicing the bow with Weneithel, like usual. All of a sudden I noticed Wen stiffen. Then she started acting like she was engrossed in how I was aiming the bow. It was like she was deliberately ignoring someone. So after I loosed my arrow, I looked around, and saw Dad on the edge of the target field. He looked a slightly better than he had that morning at breakfast.

 

I looked at Weneithel. Her lips were pressed together and she was pointedly ignoring Dad. I drew my bow and fired another arrow, then looked back over my shoulder at Dad. I saw him sigh and then he turned and slowly walked back toward the Forest Palace. Weneithel was muttering under her breath. I couldn't help but hear as she helped me aim another arrow.

 

"What does he think he's doing here, after what he did? Rejecting his calling and people..." her words trailed away. My mind was churning once more. What had Dad done?

 

*   *   *

 

That night I finally decided to read the list of the Keepers. Maybe it would clear up some things. And my curiosity would kick in and remind me that it might have the name of the Keeper of the Legacy. So I unfolded the parchment and read. But I was disappointed, for the list ended at the Keeper of the Legacy before the one that was now. His name was Malglin Faeron. So was he related to me? My people? My reading had just made the mystery darker. 

The Mystery, Part 3

Alec frowned. "You suspect the Inspector and the Police Chief?"
"I'd like them here as witnesses, Alec." J.R. looked sternly at him. "You should know I don't really suspect them." Alec nodded.

Ms. Twurthy tilted her head. "Who else are you inviting after the Police Chief and the Inspector?"

JR lifted her head. "One of them is Ms. Deggur."

The doctor rolled her eyes. "She should stop claiming to be your daughter--it wouldn't ever stand up in court! Why on earth are you inviting her?"

JR looked at the doctor steadily. "Although--as you most astutely observed, Doctor--her case would never stand up in court, she seems determined to prove otherwise. I need her here to rule her out as a witness."

Ms. Twurthy nodded in agreement. "That is a very good reason, indeed. Who are you inviting next?"

As the night wore on, it was revealed that those who were going to be invited were a rival author, Ms Tacee, who insisted that JR had stolen one of her manuscripts, Mr. Green, a former gardener who had been let go under suspicious circumstances, and Ms Paukett, who had been JR's former assistant, but had lied in order to get money from JR. They were all invited to the dinner on Friday night.

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That day, the police chief called me into the office. "Inspector Combs, we have recieved an invitation to a dinner on Friday from the writer JR Peters. What do you think? Do you know anything about him?"

 

I nodded, but I didn't reveal that JR was a woman. "I know JR, and can assure you that he is completely trustworthy. I suppose he probably has a good reason for inviting us."

 

The chief smiled, slapping an envelope down on the table. "Well, it's settled then. We're going to a dinner on Friday."

 

As I left I frowned. What was this all about? Anyway, it was my chance.

 

 

Did this confuse you? Would you like to read more about it? You can read the beginning of this series by clicking the label "mystery" and the whole story by clicking the label "detectives" I hope you enjoy it!--PB

The Mystery, part 2

They gathered in the Library: The cook, Mr. Butler, his junior apprentice butler, Alec, Ms. Twurthy, the Doctor--and one other. J.R. Peters.

Dr. Cutless-Sawmore came in last. "Another break in?" she asked as she came in.

"Yes, Dr.Cutless," J.R. replied. "But I have a plan to figure out who it is."

Ms. Twurthy wrinkled her forehead. "J.R., who do you think it is?" she inquired.

J.R. pursed her lips. "I'm not sure. But there are only a few suspects in my mind--I've been narrowing them down."

Alec frowned. "I'll get 'em for you, boss!"

J.R. smiled. "That won't be necessary, Alec. I've decided to invite them to dinner."

The cook gasped. "Here?!?!"

"Yes," J. R. grinned. "You will be responsible for planning a menu which has all of their favorite dishes."

The cook shook her head darkly, muttering. "I don't suppose any of them like arsenic pie now, you think?" J.R. ignored her, but Ms. Twurthy frowned at the cook.

"Ms. Cooke!" She then turned to J.R. once more. "So who are you inviting?"

J.R. smiled. "Well, first, I would like to invite Police Chief Bhage--and the Inspector, Shirley Combs."

The Mystery, part 1

Reaching a gloved hand out, the figure swathed in black opened the cupboard. The door swung silently open--only to have ten pots come clattering out. Barking began in another room of the house, and a scream rang out. The figure silently shook its fist, then hastily left the house.


Upstairs, a person came rushing into a bedroom, flashlight on. The occupant of the bedroom was sitting up in her bed. The person entering the bedroom spoke. "Are you alright, Ms. Twurthy? I heard you scream."

The elderly woman clicked a flashlight on. "I'm fine. Was it another burglary?"

The first person shrugged. "I don't know yet. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

A knock sounded on the door. "You may come in," Ms. Twurthy called. The door moved open and a man dressed in karate-style clothes stepped in, holding a flashlight.

"It was another burglar, Boss," he said, addressing the person who had entered the bedroom first. "Whoever it was tried to get in through the kitchen, but the noise and the dog barking must have scared them off."

"Did you manage to get a look at them, Alec?" inquired the first person.

Alec shook his head ruefully. "No, I'm afraid not. I think they must have cut the power again, since none of the lights will turn on."

"Well, please go get it turned back on."

As Alec left, the first person turned to Ms. Twurthy. "Do you think it will be alright to meet me downstairs in the library in a few minutes?"

Ms. Twurthy nodded. "Certainly. I wasn't going to be able to get to sleep anyway."

I hope you enjoyed the beginning to this new post series! If you want to know more of the background, check out the label "Burglar"--P.B.