“Hmph!” grunted Elric. “Persimmon, didn’t your mother ever explain anything to you?”
“About my powers?” asked Persimmon.
“Nay. About why she never married me, and why you had to grow up in a convent.”
“No, she didn’t,” said Persimmon, wanting answers. “I would like to know why. I would also like to know why you seem so bitter toward me.”
“Yes, Father, I would like to know that as well,” chimed in Lira. “You’ve not been very kind to Persimmon since she’s arrived.”
“Luna put you in a convent to protect you from the evils that could befall you.”
“What evils? From scrying if I was able to activate the orb? But it wasn’t even mine at the time.”
“Probably that, too, but it’s not what I meant,” said Elric. “You see, I wasn’t the first man she made love to,” he explained. “She was in love with a mere human who happened to come through a portal.”
“Really? Mother never told me that.”
“Wait a minute. What portal?” asked Stone. “And who was this man?”
“They made love and the man stole something from me and then disappeared. That’s when your mother coupled with me, desperate to be able to use the orb to find her lover again.”
“So just like Persimmon, she believed that coupling would bring her scrying power through the orb?” asked Lira.
“Yes. I don’t know where witches get these silly ideas.” Elric rolled his eyes.
“If that is not what activated the orb and gave her the power to scry, then what was?” asked Persimmon.
“Dang, if I know.” Elric zipped around the room, picking up items and dusting with his sleeve.
“I thought you are a sage,” said Stone. “Shouldn’t you know things like that?”
Elric returned and jumped up to sit on the table in front of Persimmon. “When it comes to the gods and why they do things or how things work, I am at a loss. But ask me about elves or the fae and I can tell you anything you want to know.”
“Who said anything about gods?” asked Stone.
“Huh?” Elric looked as if he’d slipped up and told them something he shouldn’t. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“What I want to know, is who was the other man who made love with Mother?” asked Persimmon.
“Yes, I would like to know that, too,” said Stone with interest.
“It was King Kapion,” said Elric.
“Who?” asked Persimmon.
“Oh, nay. It was King Helix Kapion of Taelgonoth,” said Stone. “My king, wasn’t it? And you are saying he stole those gemstones from you? Now, why don’t I believe that is the whole story?”
“It’s true!” cried Elric. “I got those stones from the gods. They are magical. That is why he wanted them.”
“Ah, now we’re getting somewhere. So, we’re back to the gods again, are we?” asked Stone.
“How did the king even know those rocks held magic?” asked Lira.
Elric shrugged and made a face. “Well, I might have bragged a little about them to Luna. Trying to attract your mother’s interest,” he said, looking at Persimmon. “You see, she must have either told him about it, or he overheard.” Elric bit at his hangnail again.
“Father, did you steal those stones from the gods? Is that why they’ve frowned upon you lately?” asked Persimmon.
“I might have.” Elric looked over at them and rolled his eyes again. “Oh, all right, so yes, I stole them. And the gods are going to take away my elven powers if I don’t return all thirteen stones soon. I have managed to keep it a secret that the stones are gone for over twenty-five years but they finally noticed and now I am in serious trouble,” admitted Elric.
“So, you’re saying those stones really belong to the gods of Mura and King Helix stole them from you over twenty-five years ago?” asked Stone in disbelief.
“Yes, that is exactly what I’m saying.” Elric sighed. “I kept distracting the gods every time they asked about the stones and was able to hold them off. I mean, it’s not like they needed those stones and powers anyway. Then, luck finally came my way. I was near the Quamm Caves recently and I heard something happening inside. That’s when I discovered the portal, the thieves, and my stolen gemstones.”
“The gods’ gemstones,” Lira corrected him.
“Whatever.”
So when the portal appeared in the cave and I found the stones, I was elated. There were thirteen stones in all, but I only found eleven. I need the last two before I can approach the gods to return them.”
“And that’s why you want the one I have,” said Stone with a nod.
“So hand it over,” demanded Elric. “You know now that the gemstones are not your king’s so there is no need for you to bring them back to him.”
“Not so fast,” said Stone. “Even if I give you the one I have, you have one more to find. My guess is that Rancor has it. And you’re going to need me to track him down to get it for you.”
“Never mind the stones. Elric, are you really my father? Or is King Helix Kapion the man who sired me?” asked Persimmon, starting to understand her father’s bitter attitude toward her now.
“I don’t know,” said Elric, shaking his head. “I’m not sure your mother really knew either.”
