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Yeldrick was not convinced by their words and flew off in a huff. “We need to get going!” said Mezzo. “She’s right,” said Hedgie. “Yes,” said Chester. “She is.” So the group gathered themselves together and started on their journey to find Splendor and Yelia. “Maybe we should try looking at the river first,” said Hedgie. Abercrombee felt the staff quiver in his paw.

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“Yeldrick, please dear, they are our guests,” said Yelonda. “Well, I just don’t trust any rats! Not after what they did to us!” barked Yeldrick. “We don’t blame you for feeling the way you do, Mr. Yeldrick, but I, for one, want to do everything in my power to help you,” said Abercrombee. “And I will also help. I am most appreciative of your kindness toward me and my little cat friend, Sage,” said Ebonius.

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“I think Chester is right,” said Hedgie. “They need to know that Splendid is alive!” “Let’s go!” said Mezzo. Then a gruff voice came from the other side of the clearing, “What makes you think you can find them!? I’ve been searching for years,” said Yeldrick. After a short silence, Chester said, “I am good at finding clues.”

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Chester quietly interrupted and said, “We have to go get them.” “We did send out a search party led by Yeldrick, but we think Splendor worked hard to make sure no one could find them. They did not see a single clue that they could follow,” said Yelonda. “I’m good at finding clues,” said Chester.

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“Sadly, when Splendid was born, we all thought she did not survive the delivery. The next day, Splendor and Yelia were gone, presumably overwhelmed by their own conditions and the loss of their child. That is when your mother was most helpful, Hedgie dear. She knew just what was needed to revive Splendid.”

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“Splendor and Yelia were alive, but the affects of the rat poison took a toll on them by disfiguring them quite seriously. And, worst of all, they lost their wings. After several months of torturous healing… and a lot of help from your mother, Hedgie…we discovered something else…Yelia was with child.” “Me!” said Splendid.

To the Vast Tens of Readers

Our internet router is on the fritz, so my daughter said that when I got to work, I should post a note to let the vast tens of readers know that we won't be able to post the next napkin until Monday. She's funny.

Thanks for reading
KD
~j~

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“I know who they are,” said Chester, “Water fairies.” “Yes,” said Yelonda. “Just as the reinforcements arrived, they saw the rats screaming and running away as poison darts were being thrown at them. Unfortunately, they also saw Splendor and Yelia lying on the bank of the river. It took many months to help them recover from the harmful affects of being exposed to the rat poison.”

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“Well, suddenly and surprisingly, the river began to bubble and boil furiously. It stopped flowing and rose up like a wall. Then the wall, which contained all of the poison, began to move toward the rats. Their victory dance suddenly switched to sheer terror as the poison started to form into pointy darts headed right at them.”

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“The rats began to jump around and cheer wildly as the river turned a brackish blood red. Yelia and Splendor were devastated,” said Yelonda. “Oh no!” exclaimed Hedgie. By now, Chester and Mezzo and Splendid were also listening to the story. “This is my favorite part,” said Splendid.

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“Splendor sent a secret signal to call for reinforcements, but did not have time to wait for them to arrive because the rats started to pour their poison into the river. Yelia was terrified and rushed out to stop them before Splendor could stop her. The two of them startled the rats and they all ran wildly about. Unfortunately, in the midst of the commotion, all of the poison spilled into the river.”

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“On the way to their favorite waterfall, they discovered a band of black jacket rats preparing to poison the river. This would have destroyed our village and many others in the forest,” continued Yelonda. Hedgie glanced over at Splendid still joyfully entertaining Chester and Mezzo.

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“Yelia and Splendor were very popular and well-loved and respected here in the village. They made a beautiful young couple,” Yelonda continued, with a tear in her eye. “Splendor was part of the Protection Duty in the village. He was very strong and courageous. On one of his relaxation days, he took Yelia to their favorite spot in the forest. Unfortunately…”

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“What happened to her?” asked Hedgie. “It is interesting that you should ask, Hedgie, because your mother is an important part of the story,” answered Yelonda. “My daughter, Yelia, and her mate, Splendor, were very brave one day and saved the entire yellow fairy village from a deadly rat poison.”

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Chester and Mezzo also became quite enamored with the little young fairy who was flitting around joyfully. “That is my lovely little granddaughter, Splendid,” said Yelonda to Hedgie. “She is surprisingly filled with joy in spite of her tragic circumstances.”

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Hedgie, Chester and Mezzo could not believe how Ebonius had changed. The last time they saw him he had cut off Hedgie’s paw and taken the staff. “That is what I meant when I agreed with you that it is a miracle,” Abercrombee said to Hedgie. “I have not seen him like this since he was young.” “We sure have benefited from the powers of the Changeling,” said Hedgie.

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When they returned to the village, they discovered that Ebonius had rushed back to check on the wee cat. They found him sitting there with the cat on his lap and a small young yellow fairy flitting around him and making him laugh.

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As they all made their way back to the yellow fairy village, Hedgie said to Abercrombee, “That was an amazing feeling in your paw, wasn’t it?” Abercrombee looked at him, stretched forth his right arm and said, “The power of the Changeling cannot be used on one’s self, Hedgie. It can only be used to serve others.”

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“Chester! Mezzo! Did you see that!?” exclaimed Hedgie. “Look…look at my paw!” Then he turned to Abercrombee and said, “Oh, Abercrombee! Look! It’s a miracle!” “Yes, my dear friend. It really is,” said Abercrombee. “Hey, where is Ebonius,” said Hedgie.