Day 71 - Sunday

I allowed Greg to choose our activities for today. Much to my surprise, instead of wanting to go to Coral Cove, he wants to explore the Treasure Vault. That’s not a suitable place for a picnic so afterwards we’ll go to Mystic Copse and have lunch in the tree house.

Our visit to the Treasure Vault is quite successful. We find items that are needed to complete sets that can be redeemed for paintbrushes, fungi tiles, and fairy glass. So we can pay another visit to Skycrystal Atriums later in the day. Best of all, we finally find the relic that Leena said was hidden there. Guess I’ve achieved rank four, whatever that is.

At Mystic Copse, I find some pet food. After lunch, Greg decides to give me an archery lesson with the crossbow that’s sometimes stored in the tree house. I don’t know who keeps leaving weapons there, but he really should stop it. Guns, rifles, and crossbows shouldn’t be left laying around where children come to play.

I’m anxious to go to the Atriums to see where the relic we found belongs. It turns out to be the final fragment of the Atrium Verdant relic. Magic flows from the completed relic into the sphere bringing life and vibrancy to the natural surroundings. Like Landsong Village, Skycrytsal Atriums now has dense bushes and wild flowers growing everywhere.

Once again, Greg wants to play Tri Peaks. He won a decent amount of bolgins yesterday when he played, if he wins again today, we can add the money to our own building fund for expanding our home. Greg is again lucky and it won’t be long before we can add another room or two.

I want to make more fairy art so our next stop is at Glennwater Springs. Leena congratulates me on finding the last fragment of the relic and thanks me for all my help at the Springs.

Greg is clearly bored looking at art. I take pity on him and try to think of things he might enjoy. In Beechwood Cove, men enjoyed visiting the hardware store. Maybe sorting and repairing gears and widgets at the Wingferry would be a comparable activity. I just need to exchange a pendant set for some toolboxes.

We help Seth for a while, then it’s time to return to Town Hall to write reports before going home. My idea of a working but fun weekend seems to have been a success. Greg and I have enjoyed spending time together. Although tomorrow we return to our usual separate routines, I’m hoping that Greg will make more of an effort to keep in touch during the day and not wait until the last minute to tell me he has to stay at the barracks. We shall see.

Day 73 - Tuesday

The day didn’t get off to a good start. Quinn was standing outside the Squabbit Den waiting for me to pass there on my way to Town Hall. Some of the animal, including Mr Vanderkins, got sick. Quinn thinks they ate too much last night. It couldn’t be anything I fed them because I didn’t feed Mr Vanderkins. He was out exploring with Quinn.

Blessilda told Quinn he needed to give the sick animals some pink moonflowers. I do have the ones I was going to give Ria. Looks like she will have to wait for her moonflowers, sick animals take priority.

Gavin wants me to go to the Treasure Vault with him to find the sandstone tablet. It’s the first I’ve heard of this tablet. I certainly have seen it in my many visits there. And I don’t see it on this latest trip.

Gavin thinks we should ask Raphael if he knows where in the Vault the tablet could be. Raphael seems to recall that it’s inside an unlit room and suggests that we bring a light source with us when we go there. Gavin thinks we could borrow Triffledore’s lantern.

Triffledore will let us have his lantern but we’ll need to help him sort and box his artifacts. I’ll need to run down to the exchange and trade some fairy outfit sets for some artifact boxes. Two sets gets me thirty artifact boxes. That should be more than enough.

After the artifacts are sorted, Triffledore rewards us with the lantern. I’m in a hurry to get to the vault and find the tablet so that I can get back in time to meet Greg for lunch and go up to the castle to see how the new lamps and flowers look.

Gavin, however, has decided that he needs to get his traveler’s gear. Fine, whatever, just don’t expect me to wear one of those silly hats again. Finally Gavin is ready to go.

With the lantern we’re able to explore another room in the Treasure Vault and find the sandstone tablet. Neither of us can read it, however. Maybe Greg can read it. When I meet him for lunch, I’ll ask.

When Greg hears about the tablet, he wants to go to the Treasure Vault right away. What about lunch? I’m hungry. Greg slaps together some sandwiches using the ham that was going to be dinner and announces we can eat along the way. Fine, but for dinner you’re getting the stew I made for lunch.

When we get to the Treasure Vault, Greg looks at the inscription on the tablet. He frowns, squints, tilts his head and finally admits that it’s too complicated for him to decipher. We’ll have to go back to Landsong Village or Faire of Light and ask our elders if they can decipher it, he decides.

It’s obviously not a Goblin tablet, so we’ll have to ask some humans for their help. He wants to ask Cecil, a woman who has expertise in healing pegacorns, whether she can read the tablet. Or perhaps Seth. I think Fahleed is the one most likely to be of help.

Neither Cecil or Seth know anything about deciphering inscriptions. Fahleed, on the other hand, is willing to give it a try, although it’s been a while since he’s has to decipher anything.

Neither Cecil or Seth know anything about deciphering inscriptions. Fahleed, on the other hand, is willing to give it a try, although it’s been a while since he’s has to decipher anything. I give Greg an I told you so look.

I make my fourth trip to the Treasure Vault accompanied by Greg and Fahleed. Fahleed copies the inscription and says he’ll decipher it at home. He’ll need his books to help him.

Greg is impatient to learn what the inscription says. He’s disappointed when Fahleed returns asking for some books to help him. I fail to see how one copy each of Brave Goblins, The Lone Centaur, and Tales from the Exodus, never mind five copies, will be of any help, but I fetch them for Fahleed anyway.

Fahleed obviously found something of use in the storybooks because he soon returns with the translation. When Fahleed reveals that the inscription talks about the fallen knight Sir Elron, Greg can’t hide his excitement. I am told that Sir Elron was one of the first knights of the kingdom and that the inscription mentions that he hid his last will inside his armor. Greg wants to go look for the armor now.

I point out that it’s getting late and will soon be dark. We need to go to the castle so I can see the new flowers and lamps. And I still need to catalogue everything I found today during the four trips I made to the Treasure Vault. We’ll look for the armor tomorrow, I promise.

Day 75 - Thursday

Having the astuteness to buy the rust remover and therefore find Sir Elron’s will has elevated me in Greg’s eyes. I have now been deemed smart enough to understand battle strategy and tactics. Greg spent dinner time last night staging the battle in which Sir Elron died with the dishes, cutlery, and salt and pepper shakers. I do believe I’ve created a monster.

But he’s conceded that maybe the festival pathway is a bit dangerous and agrees it should be replaced as soon as the kingdom can afford it. Good. He can work on that project this morning. We can afford the puzzle road. Wish I could be there when he tells his troops to install a pink pathway.

I’ve also decided that if the Mayor won’t authorize the upgrading of Town Hall, I will. That work will also be done today while we’re both out of the office. When it’s finished, Greg can have some men move the boxes of my father’s office materials out of our Great Room and into our new larger office.

While all this is going on, Lucky and I will tackle the problem of the snake at Dawnhope Cavern. This means spending time with Mr Vanderkins. Lucky isn’t pleased but since he wants to go shopping later, he’ll be on his best behavior. But will Mr Vanderkins?

Seth wants to go to Dawnhope Cavern to see the statue of Yura, but there’s a huge snake draped around it. Quinn has discovered that Triffledore has an artifact that will help remove the snake.

As per usual, before Triffledore will give us the artifact, he has to find it and we have to sort various trinkets into boxes while he looks for it. And, of course Triffledore is all out of boxes. So it’s a quick dash to the exchange to trade in a set of fairy dresses.

We sort artifacts for a while and finally Triffledore finds what he was looking for: a flute. Looks like I’m adding snake charmer to my job description. Both Quinn and Old Man Seth accompany me to Dawnhope Cavern. The snake is charmed and Seth is able to behold the full glory of Yura.

Time for lunch. Since Town Hall is still under construction, Lucky and I eat at home. No sign of Greg. He’s probably still up at the castle working on the new pathways.

After lunch, Lucky and I go to Dawnshadow Lake. I need to find pink moonflowers for Ria and paintbrushes for Raphael. I manage to find four moonflowers, that’s half of what I need. Maybe I can find the rest tomorrow. I now have enough paintbrushes to help Raphael.

I’m getting tired of looking at the same painting. Can’t believe that so many people want a painting of Queen Sophia with King Crookshank. The buyers must all be Goblins. Raphael assures me that the next time I help out, we will be working on a different painting.

Lucky reminds me that I promised to take him shopping. We go to look over the new things Quinn is selling. I remind Lucky that he can only choose something that costs bolgins. He can’t decide between the black bow tie or sheriff pendant. Since he didn’t get into a fight with Mr Vanderkins today, I’ll let him get both.

Construction should be finished by now. Time to go back to Town Hall, write up reports and then go home and fix dinner. Wonder if Greg will again play with his food. I need to find him some toy soldiers.

Day 77 - Saturday

Neither Greg nor I are feeling all that enthused about spending a day at Sacred Grove. Lucky obviously would rather spend the day visiting the Gildenhall Gallery - he’s decided to wear his striped top hat and a black bow tie. Greg isn’t enthused about that activity either.

We decide to start our day at Faire of Light. Now that Triffledore’s shop has been upgraded, maybe he’ll be able to find some artifacts that the Peddler can use to craft his lockpick.

Triffledore does find something and magically the Peddler appears, takes the artifacts, and quickly disappears. As long as we’re already in the neighborhood, we might as well stop and visit Old Man Seth and give him a little help.

While Greg and I debate where to go next, the Peddler must have visited the Black Bull, because before we know it he’s returned and complaining that the lockpick still doesn’t work. Ergo, the treasure chest must be enchanted and we need to consult the fairies.

Looks like Lucky and I will get our way. Next stop is Skycrystal Atriums. Leena informs us the chest is definitely enchanted with magic and a regular lockpick won’t be able to unlock it. Mira tells us we’ll need to enchant the lockpick and the Fairy Queen offers to help with the enchantment, but she’ll need three complete Zodiac sets. No problem. I just need to run back to Town Hall to get them.

The Fairy Queen enchants the lockpick but warns that the chest must be locked up tight for a reason. The Peddler finds the Fairy Queen’s warning very alarming but he still wants to get whatever’s inside the chest.

I’m hoping the chest holds a relic or door tile, so I’m in favor of opening it. Besides, I won’t be the one picking the lock, so I shouldn’t be in too much danger. Greg is in favor of any activity that doesn’t involve art or flowers. So off we go to the Black Bull.

Greg insists that I stand behind him so that I’m somewhat protected from whatever is lurking inside the treasure chest. But the only thing of interest in the chest is an old black book containing weird illustrations of animals.

The Peddler wants us all to go back to Skycrystal Atriums to show the book to the Fairy Queen. Lucky and I are pleased. Greg looks grumpy.

The Fairy Queen examines the book and says the illustrations look like enchanted wild squabbits. They are mean squabbits that are believed to be evil. She thinks they became extinct long ago. Lucky think that there’s still one of them at large and living at the Squabbit Den. The Peddler leaves to investigate further.

By now it’s lunch time. Greg suggests we go home for a bite to eat. We can discuss where we’re going next while we eat. No need to discuss anything. I know where I’m going: to the Gildenhall Gallery and to Cloudspire Meadow.

Apparently I didn’t know where I would be going. Just as we finish lunch, the Fairy Queen arrives. She’s a bit concerned about that black book and wants me to find the Peddler. I’m to look for him at the Black Bull, Apricus Plaza, and the Rose Garden.

This is so not how I planned to spend the day. Naturally there’s no sign of the Peddler at any of those places. The Fairy Queen thinks it strange that he isn’t at any of his usual hang outs. I think it’s par for the course. Whenever I have to look for somebody, they’re never where they’re supposed to be.

Quinn claims to have seen the Peddler going into the Treasure Vault and offers to take me there. He doesn’t explain what he and Mr Vanderkins were doing at the Treasure Vault. Greg doesn’t explain why the guard assigned to keep people out of the vault is allowing people to go inside.

When we get to the vault and see who is supposed to be guarding it, I have the answer as to why anybody and everybody is being allowed in. I tell Greg I want that man demoted, fired, jailed, banished, just pick something and get him out of my sight. Greg sighs and claims it’s not that simple.

The Peddler meanwhile is examining the steel door at the back of the vault. According to his black book, there’s something important behind that door. But the door is stuck and we’ll need pliers.

Quinn, Mr Vanderkins, and the Peddler leave, presumably to go look for pliers. Greg and I continue to glare at each other. I tell him I want the vault locked and that I will hold the key. Who knows what’s already been pilfered? Then Lucky and I leave.

When we get back to Town Hall, the Fairy Queen and Fahleed are waiting for me. Now what? They want to see the Peddler, who once again seems to appear out of thin air. Greg also makes an appearance. He must have ran all the way from the Treasure Vault.

The Fairy Queen inform all of us that the black book is just a reference book about the wild squabbits and is nothing threatening. I never thought it was. Fahleed says that the black book was mentioned in the sandstone inscription and that the inscription also says that inside the locked room there are other black books.

I glance over at Greg to see if this information is news to him. He seems to be as surprised as I am to hear there was more on the inscription than the location of Sir Elron’s will.

The Fairy Queen wants me to find the rest of the books so that we can learn more about the creatures that used to inhabit the kingdom. That will have to wait until tomorrow. Right now, Greg and I need to go home and have a long chat about his second in command.

Day 79 - Monday

This past weekend was as much a disaster as the previous weekend was a success. Greg and I spent a lot of hours together, but very few of them would qualify as quality time. Although we ‘kissed’ and made up, I’m not sure if I should plan another weekend outing.

We did get something accomplished besides finding those black books. Excess inventory has been building up again in the office. Greg has agreed to assign one of the soldiers to transport supplies between Town Hall and the storage room up at the castle.

There’s nothing new on my desk. I’m really perplexed as to why almost none of the inhabitants are requesting upgrades to their buildings. They certainly weren’t shy about asking in the past. Quite the opposite. I really shouldn’t complain. It’s not as if I have the funds to upgrade everything all at once.

Ria has submitted a request, so Cloudspire Meadow will be expanded so that she can grow more flowers. She’s also asked for more nectar dew, so the morning will be spent at Rosetum Gardens.

I like visiting Rosetum Gardens. It’s so bright and sunny and colorful. In addition to the dew nectar, I find a lot of other useful items, such as leafy green fairy dresses, radiant dust, and goblin worms. The soldier appointed to assist me groans when he sees it all.

Lucky and I return home for a quick bite to eat before going to exchange a jewelry box set and a bard set for some fairy glass and paintbrushes. These items are delivered to Leena, who wants to try combining traditional painting with fairy art. She thanks us and mentions that we should check out Apricus Plaza and maybe we’ll find a relic.

We then check on how the expansion of Cloudspire Meadow is coming along and give Ria the dew nectar she requested, before heading out to Apricus Plaza to look for the relic. Before long, the third piece of the Atrium Vigor relic is located. Leena is pleased that we found it and hopes we can find all the fragments. So do I, but it would help if people weren’t so cryptic about what I need to do to be able to see them.

It’s too late to go to Sacred Grove, Glitterstone Mine, or Dawnhope Cavern to look for relic fragments. Maybe tomorrow. I’ll just go back to Town Hall and take my time writing the reports.