“We need something, a certain medicine, that can only be
purchased in that store.”
The oldster grunted, though it came out as more of a
rusty squeak. “Well, that’s thy business.”
“Please, we’ve come a long way. From across the
Glittergeist. We need directions. Specific directions.”
Another grunt-squeak. “Long way to come to make
fools of thyselves.”
“It’s not for us. A friend of mine, a teacher and a great
wizard, is very sick and badly needs this medicine. If you
can tell us how to get to Crancularn, we’ll pay you,
somehow.”
The oldster shook his head sadly. “I’d tell thee if I
could, boy, but I can’t help you. I don’t know where
Crancularn is.” Jon-Tom slumped. “But there’s them that
do. Only, I wouldn’t be the one to go asking them.”
“Let us worry about that,” said Jon-Tom eagerly. “Who
are they?”
“Why, the enchanted ones, of course. Who else?”
“Enchanted ones?”
“Aye, the little people of the magic. The fairy folk. You
know.”
Folly’s eyes were wide with childlike wonder. “When I
was a little girl, I used to hear stories of the fairy folk. My
mother used to tell me.” She went very quiet and Jon-Tom
tried to rush the conversation to take her thoughts off more
recent memories.
“Where would we find these fairy folk?” The thought
of meeting real honest-to-Tinker Bell fairies was enough to
motivate him. Getting directions to Crancularn would be a
bonus.
“I wouldn’t advise anyone to risk such an encounter,
sonny, but I can see that thee art determined.” He indicat-
ed the steep slope behind them. “They hide in the wet