Her ancient hands were clasped together. “You’re looking for Dr. Gold-and-Silver right?” She pointed to a house with a blue door at the end of the neighboring street. “See that red symbol?”
A stark-red carving on the door depicted two symmetrical hands, fingers curled to form a heart, a symbol used by medical practitioners across the continent. It represented the hands of the Goddess, who gifted the Divine Pantheon to the humans at the beginning of time.
“That’s where the doctor lives,” she explained, “but I hate to tell you he’s been out of town for a few days.”
I shot a look at my startled friends, imploring them to stop acting so suspicious. “Would you happen to know where he went?”
“You can ask his apprentice. I don’t mean to butt in, but be careful here, little creatures. Don’t follow anyone you don’t trust.”
I thanked her for the advice, as cryptic as it was, and led the way to the clinic. A sign on the door promised the doctor would return in thirty minutes, so we waited for the apprentice on the bench outside. I decided to speak my mind.
“Why did you act afraid of that woman?” I blurted. “I know people are strange here but that was just rude!”
Willow exchanged an embarrassed glance with Piranha.
Sharp slapped her forehead. “Oops, you’re right,” she muttered, lowering her voice. “I just couldn’t conceal my shock. Those eyes.”
“What was wrong with her eyes?”
Piranha pointed to their own, shimmering orange in the dark. “Didn’t you see them? They were glowing. She must have a Divine power. If we're here long enough, I bet yours will start to do the same.”
I placed a hand up to my face. “Everyone’s eyes are glowing, even yours.”
They turned to each other, and then back to me, perplexed.
“No, they aren’t,” said Willow. “You see them glowing?”
“Yes!” I threw up my arms. “Are you saying that none of you can see it?”
“It’s probably a residual effect from the Fruit,” suggested Sharp. “The Divine energy in this forest is profound compared to the Valley. Hopefully the doctor returns soon. I want to know what else you can do.”
“Are you looking for Dr. Gold-and-Silver?” said a new voice, deep and soft. A man carrying a box of food stopped on the other side of the narrow street. His hair was pitch black and his skin stone-gray, but a pair of glowing emerald eyes made up for the lack of color. Other than that, his features were plain, but also familiar, like I had seen him in the market before.
Sharp stood upright and handed him the folded note from her father. “Good afternoon, sir. We’ve traveled from the Valley on the advice of Dr. Glass Of-the-City to meet with the doctor who lives here.”
He opened the note and read it with a still, unnerved expression. “Gold-and-Silver is my mentor, but he isn’t home right now. Is this because of Wild Fruit?”
“Yessir,” I confirmed, raising a weak hand.
He muttered something under his breath, tucked the note in his shirt pocket, and gestured inside.
The interior of the house certainly didn’t match the personality of the doctor’s substitute. Warm lights of a dozen golden lamps illuminated a large semicircle room crowded with cushy poufs covered in thick, knitted blankets. The walls were decorated with an eclectic variety of abstract paintings in several different colors and styles, all joyful and vibrant.
“Wow, it’s beautiful here!” Willow twirled and floated luxuriously onto the biggest, squishiest chair. “I wish all doctor’s offices were like this!”
“This is common throughout the Savage Wilds,” grunted the man. “Lack of sunlight can lead to increased feelings of sadness and despair. We use light, color, and texture to combat these symptoms. Make yourself comfortable.”
“Incredible!” I exclaimed. “How clever!”
The apprentice met my eye for the first time, and a dark shadow fell over his visage, a shadow that filled the colorful room.
“You,” he whispered. His eyes burned bright green, and the ATMOSPHERE changed.
I put a hand to my chest. “Me?”
He spoke fast, with a fearful voice and pointed at the door. “This is not a safe time to be visiting this territory. You kids need to go home, right now.”
“Now wait a moment,” commanded Sharp. “Dr. Gold-and-Silver owes my father a favor. We already came all this way.”
He was talking to Sharp, but his piercing glare was directed at me. “You misunderstand. The reason you’re here is the reason you’re not safe. The Sapphire Clan has been targeting young people like yourselves, trying to recruit them to fight King Wyvern in the north.” His eyes flashed to the scarf around Willow’s arms.
Sharp rested a steady hand on the hilt of each blade. “Recruitment? How long has this been happening?”
He pointed at the door again, dodging the question. “I’m going to insist you travel back home as quickly as you can. There are many doctors in the City that can help you.” He continued glaring at me, as if I was the last person he wanted to see. “You of all people should have known about these consequences. Go back to the Valley.”
The reason this stubborn man felt so familiar struck me like a punch in the face. I’d seen the outline of his profile, the shape of his eyes, and the thick curl of his hair somewhere before. My own reflection.
“You…you’re Pyrite.”
My friends gasped. His jolting reaction confirmed I was right. This man was my biological father, and my first impression was less than ideal.
His mouth was a straight line. “I am.”
I found a louder voice inside myself and stood straighter. “My name is Badger Of-the-Valley. I’m Puma and Robin’s son. Your godson.”
He closed his eyes tight, as if in pain. “I know who you are, and that’s why you need to leave this place.” The eyes opened, glowing with sincerity. “How would your mothers feel if they never heard from you again?”
My blood was burning, and I snarled, “They would feel a lot of worry and sadness, the same way they feel about you.” He seized up and I continued, “Not even a letter? All these years and you had no time to visit? I hope you had a good reason.”
