Cinnamon wrote a rather long note for Queen Julala, with all the details of the capture of Hopping Jack, also requesting extra security on Centauria’s borders, to watch for Sharp Claw’s return and a very possible dark fae attempt to “rescue” Jack. Once sent the note with one of the ravens of the Hill, the healer prepared a nice bundle with some bread, cheese, smoked salmon and a jug full of ale. She put everything in her bag and walked back towards Roonwit
Michael Briarthorne: “Somebody’s coming. Hop off!”
Cinnamon arrives at Roonwit and notices two jackalopes running away as they saw her approaching: “Who’s that!!!” She yells and attempts to run after the pair of jackalopes, but gives up quickly, then turns back to Jack… “Hello again Jack… who… were those two???” She looks back and forth confused. “That jackalope….. I’ve seen that jackalope before…”
Hopping Jack O’Lope: “He says his name is Michael”.
Cinnamon looks at the cage crystals, lightly touches them and her neck hairs rise to the feel of magicks.
Hopping Jack O’Lope: “He says that I wronged him”
Cinnamon: “Michael??” She tries to remember.
Hopping Jack O’Lope: “He says that he is from Elderridge like me”
Cinnamon: “Michael… Michael.. Briarthorne… Brair… .. something? You wronged him? how?? The cage is still secure… What did they want?? I’ve never seen the white one before, though.”
Cinnamon sits on the floor in front of the trap, opens her bag and takes out a large bundle wrapped in a cloth. “I brought some food for you…” looks again in the direction the pair of jackalopes ran…
Hopping Jack O’Lope: “I do not deserve the kindnesses you Centaurians are showing me.”
Cinnamon smiles kindly at Jack… “Yes you do… you are just one creature in need of help. If we can provide that help, we will…. our Queen is very nice, you will meet her soon”
Hopping Jack O’Lope takes the food and eats lightly while keeping his gaze fixed on the ground
Cinnamon: “I hope you like it… the bread is from MaeMae our baker, and there’s salmon from our merfolk… all is delicious”
Hopping Jack O’Lope: “But I have robbed many of their jewels and candy. CANDY!”
Cinnamon: “One step at a time, Jack. First we figure out how to break your curse. Then… we’ll see how to clean Hopping Jack’s name. If creatures taken by the darkness have come around, I don’t see why you wouldn’t. Have faith… you will see soon enough” Cinnamon smiles and places on the floor an ale jug and slides it inside the trap. She looks again back in the direction of those jackalopes… “Those two are giving me an uneasy feeling”
Hopping Jack O’Lope: “I owe them a debt that I promise them that I shall pay before the end. The life of both him and his mate has been wrought with nothing but hardship from my account. He looks almost like me…”
Cinnamon nods…. “I am sure we will sort it out… People through these realms know well that is the dark fae who make you do these things. But once we break the curse, our Queen will send word across the land, and it will be easier to fix what is broken.”
Hopping Jack O’Lope: “Breaking the curse, if such a thing is even possible, will not make up for the life that Michael and his wife had to endure because of me. I have destroyed something that I never even touched”
Cinnamon: “Well then we’ll have to have a talk with Michael and see how can we help him as well… I must say I thought it was you when I met him.” She shrugs and smiles apologetically. “But don’t overwhelm yourself…. and let’s wait and see… I trust our druids, they are brilliant. Speaking of… there’s one more thing our Queen mentioned, when she talked to the fae”
Hopping Jack O’Lope: “Yes?”
Cinnamon: “She said… that the dark fae must have thought that you were a very powerful creature… as the stone didn’t cause you any damage. They must have thought the stone was harmful for everyone but… you. I think they fear you. The Fae told this to Queen Julala… I guess it must be true” She smiles.
Hopping Jack O’Lope chuckles as he gives the healer an incredulous look… “Me, powerful? I am no more powerful than any other jackalope. I have no magick to speak of. I never had.”
Cinnamon leans closer and whispers… “But.. they don’t know that” she winks and smiles. The healer stretches her hooves and starts to stand up… “And they don’t know that you know about the stone powers, either” She smiles even bigger… “Have faith, Jack… things will get sorted out”
Hopping Jack O’Lope nods to the healer.
Cinnamon: “Is there anything else I can bring to you to make you comfortable during the night? A blanket maybe?”
Hopping Jack O’Lope: “I do not deserve such comforts. The food is plenty”
Cinnamon shakes her head and smiles… “Alright then. I must away, I will come and see you in the morning. I’ve written to the Queen, I hope she makes some time tomorrow to meet you”
Hopping Jack O’Lope: “Good evening. I thank you for your visit and the food.”
Cinnamon approaches her hand to the magic stone again and this glows stronger to the touch. “You are welcome, Jack. And you are safe here. See you soon…” The healer bows politely and starts walking away, looking left and right for that pair of jackalopes…