The Magical Key - Martie Florence

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the dress," Lynette took a sapphire out of the pocket and put it onto the table.

      "My work is not so expensive!" Martina protested sincerely.

      "I'm recompensing your keeping it for me," Lynette sighed, "I don't know when I can take it home…"

      "But you can try it on, it's in my workshop upstairs. The white shoes are yours in addition!" the Dryad picked up the sapphire, viewed it without any great interest and put it back nonchalantly, then she pointed at the high-boots of Andreas with a clement care: "Tonight let your feet rest, put on the footwear for guests! Meanwhile, I'll bring tea."

      The girls went out. The men took their bags, jackets and weapon off, hung the things onto small polished wooden coat-hooks near the door. The guest footwear turned out to be very flexible and soft brown leather shoes, easily stretching and assuming the necessary size. The Elf remained in his own which were actually of the same kind.

      They washed their hands at a miniature decorative waterfall in the veranda corner, clear water lapping in a basin laid out with grey stones.

      Martina brought a silver tray with porcelain cups and a tea-pot on it, the Elf assisted her in laying the table.

      Then Lynette returned, and Andreas couldn't help looking at her. The new long bluish-white frock fitted her straight figure perfectly, and she had arranged her fair hair nicely, flower-topped hairpins holding golden curls. Tucking up the loose skirt, she gracefully sat down, took a cup from his hands and, being manifestly pleased with his attention, gave him a charming effulgent smile.

      Meanwhile beautiful voices sang a simple but merry song somewhere in the town:

      "Touch the petals, touch the leaves

      With the gentle midnight breeze,

      Let the springtime dream away

      In the starlight of this May!

      When enchanting minutes flow,

      Take a rest before you go,

      Let your weary heart forget

      All your sorrow and regret!

      Still together, all as one,

      We are feeling fresh and young,

      Like the petals and the leaves,

      Like this gentle midnight breeze!"

      "Let's go to the night party!" the Dryad exclaimed when the delicate euphonical music became heard.

      They drank the tea up and hurried outdoors.

      People were going along streets and lanes towards the square, gathering there, where several Elves playing violins and singing a melodious fairy ballad near the fountain. Lynette began to dance with Andreas, Iven invited Martina, and they joined other fluidly whirling pairs. Merry laugh and light-hearted joy in the air, sparklets in kind eyes. Happy enchanting minutes.

      After the dancing the violins played a tender lullaby, and the four of them walked back to the house of Martina, the men arm-in-arm with their ladies.

      "Iven?!" some Elf wondered encountering them in the lane, "haven't you gone to the South?"

      "Sammie?" Iven and his friends stopped, "what's wrong?"

      "From the coast we saw the yacht sailing to the Southern Cape, and a part of the troll horde followed it," Sammie told them, "our archers reported this news to queen Veronica…"

      "Now Jim is with Dwarfs, they can defend him, but how shall he return to us alone?" Iven got worried, "I must see the queen!"

      "Actually our Elvish Kingdom is close at hand, I'll show you the way," Sammie offered.

      "Well, wait for me here, it's a safe place," Iven said to Lynette and Andreas, warmth gleamed in his eyes when he turned to Martina: "See you!"

      "Good luck!" Martina smiled to him and, as the two Elves went away, led Lynette and Andreas to the house, "will you chatter with me before going to bed, Lynette? Tell me about your adventures!"

      Chapter Three

      Their clothes had been washed and cleaned, no more dust from mines, the Dwarfs looked rested and full of energy. They were peering into the distance where grey sails appeared catching up with them quickly.

      "What do those contemptible monsters want from you?" Huges inquired carelessly.

      "Helping my friends I quarrelled with trolls terrifically," Jim replied in a similar phlegmatic way, "but I have no regrets at all, you know…"

      "Well, boys," Huges cheerfully turned to the other Dwarfs, "let's make a surprise for the filthy hooligans!"

      The first boat approached to the yacht, six or seven leering brutes could see only Jim standing at the steering-wheel. He gave them an ironic smile and raised his hat in a derisive greeting.

      The trolls howled in rage at that mock. This time they didn't jump as they had been doing during the attack near the Ariadna City. Instead of that, having sailed closely, the monsters thrust out make-shift ladders, wooden cross-beams were crudely bound to long stakes having iron grapnels at ends. They grappled the yacht with those awkward constructions to make bridges between the two vessels and started climbing up frantically.

      But the Dwarfs who had been hiding squatting behind the board parapet suddenly sprung up, their battle-axes began to deal heavy blows to the enemies, cleaving helmets with loud clashing, knocking the assailants down one by one.

      Shrill screaming of the brutes, splashes in the water, cracking of the unreliable ladders.

      The fight was momentary but impetuous, no brute had a real chance of getting over the board railing to set foot onto the deck, and the victorious Dwarfs had quite contented expressions on their faces. They leisurely hewed the remaining ladders off, and a gust of the wind overturned the empty hostile boat flapping with its tangled sail.

      The rest of the flotilla slowed and almost stopped, apparently not daring to attack any more. Huges menacingly shook his fist at them.

      The rocky shore got nearer, the surf waves breaking and frothing at stones and cliffs.

      "Southern Cape!" Jim announced pointing at high towers and houses built of greyish granite.

      "Home, sweet home!" Huges exclaimed joyfully.

      Having passed between two majestic watchtowers at the stony banks of a narrow channel, they entered a haven, a vast lagoon enclosed with citadel walls, then moored between other yachts of much the same types, and their ship became practically indistinguishable among the others.

      Dockyards, giant winches, mechanisms. Glowing furnaces and banging hammers at forges. A couple of large ships under repair. Shipwrights carrying planks and girders, blacksmiths pushing handcarts with coal, a work in full swing.

      Dwarfs everywhere.

      But they also noticed a dozen of Elvish archers in dark-green suits standing on the embankment.

      "Excuse me, who is captain Jim?" one Elf came up to the Dwarfs who were just unloading their sacks and bags from the yacht.

      "I am," Jim responded, this time he lifted his hat without any irony but, no doubt, respectfully, "at your service!"

      "My name is Sebastian. Queen Veronica sent us to guard you on your way back to the island," the Elf told him, "when you join your friends, we shall go home through the Dryad portal."

      "You have arrived so quickly!" Jim got a little amazed.

      "We happened to be in the vicinity when received the instructions," the Elf explained.

      "When are we departing?" Jim asked.

      "Maybe, in an hour?" Sebastian suggested, "we shall replenish your supplies and bring more weapon…"

      "All right, old chap, heh, heh!" Huges patted on Jim's shoulder jovially, "you have enough time to dine with us! Be my guest!"

      They left the yacht to the care of the Elves and unhurriedly walked away from the docks towards the city buildings. Granite blocks were carved and polished so masterfully that any joints could hardly be

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