Fate - Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Count unfurled a scroll of ratty, water-stained paper and hung it on the cave wall. Despite the many smeared ink lines and washed-out colors, Myth could see that the scroll depicted a map of Jamaa.

"If Mira truly wants us to destroy Jamaa, then we need to know where to start," Myth said.

"That's the thing," Count said, stroking his muzzle. "Where do we even begin to destroy Jamaa? The alphas placed all sorts of protective enchantments over it that-"

"I've got it!" Myth cried, jumping up. "We need the help of one of the alphas!"

"What?!" both Count and Sparkle yelled at the same time.

"Don't you get it?" Myth asked, frustrated. "We need the help of one of the alphas! They're the ones who put the enchantments over Jamaa in the first place! Maybe if we get their help we can remove some of the enchantments and use their magic to destroy Jamaa!!"

"And you really think that the alphas will just willingly agree to this scheme of yours?" Count spat on the ground. "The alphas are defeated: Liza, Greely, Graham, Peck, Cosmo, Sir Gilbert... all of them."

"Not all of them have been defeated..." Myth countered cautiously.

"What do you mean?" Count asked, confused. 

"There's still Sigurd, Amelia, La Salle, Edmund... all of the other alphas are still active and just as powerful as ever!" Myth replied.

"And you think they'd help us?" Sparkle snorted. "They're all still too angry that they hardly get any attention for all the work that they do. And you think they'd help us destroy Jamaa? Trust me Myth: no alpha going to help us do that."

"I've got to agree with Sparkle," Count said, reluctantly. 

"No!" Myth cried. "We have to try!"

"Since when are you so interested in this quest?" Sparkle asked, amused. "Count's the one who's supposed to do all this."

"But Mira expects me to help him," Myth replied hotly. "Look: if you don't want to help, then you can go back to the Gofnak camp and freeze to death."

"Myth," Count said, much more softly than he had ever spoken before. "Maybe we should give up. I mean, what chance do we stand against... against Count Fieryspirit."

"Count Fieryspirit?" Myth and Sparkle asked, incredulous. "Who in Jamaa is that?"

"He's the leader of the Gofnak." Count said, almost whispering now. "He used to be the greatest and kindest sorcerer Jamaa had ever seen. I'm named after him." Count buried his head in his paws. "What if I turn out like him? What if I turn evil?"

"You won't, Count," Myth reassured him. "Not if you do what Mira says and help Jamaa."

"But it isn't helping, is it?" Count shot back, a touch harsher than he had anticipated. "We're destroying Jamaa, for Pete's sake! Isn't that just as evil as what Count Fieryspirit did? At least now, the jammers can actually live. If I destroy Jamaa, they'll all die!" He let out a cry. "Why did Mira entrust this task to me, Myth? Why me?"

"Mira is always right, Count. She knew that you wouldn't fail her." Myth patted him on the back gently.

"But what if she is wrong, Myth? What if she's wrong this time?" Count looked up at her, eyes brimming with fresh tears. "What if I will fail her and become Jamaa's biggest disappointment?"

"Well there's only one way to find out, isn't there?" Myth helped Count up and motioned for Sparkle to stand. "We're going on that quest, guys, and we're going to find one of the alphas."

---------------------------------------------------------

I hope you enjoyed that! ^.^ I'll probably publish another chapter later today or tomorrow. :)

-Panda