The Tiny Ringmaster Read Online Free PDF Page B

didn’t know how he got back there. She was positive he just left out the door not even five minutes ago.
    Lucin bowed at Tryfod’s feet. “Yes, Master Tryfod?”
    “Lucin, go fetch Mistress Ruth a comfortable chair.”
    “Of course, Master Tryfod.”
    Before Ruth even had time to blink, Lucin returned with a chair that was a miniature version of the copper thrones the Elders were sitting on. She hadn’t noticed the intricate design molded into them. If her eyes weren’t deceiving her in the dark room, she’d swear the tiny little designs were people. She snapped back into the present as Tryfod dismissed Lucin. “That’ll do Lucin.”
    Lucin bowed and scurried off into the darkness. This little servant man confused Ruth. He was grumpier than the rest of the crew, but Ruth figured she might be grumpy too if she had to be a servant. She looked up at Tryfod who was fooling with some books.
    He noticed her staring and began to chuckle again. “You must forgive me, dear child. I know youth is an impatient being, but in my old age, details aren’t easily remembered. I haven’t told this story in a very long time, so I want to make sure I get it right.”
    The lady Elder that spoke earlier stood up and walked over to Ruth. “Mistress Ruth, my name is Eliza. I’ll be your secondary adviser, second to Tryfod, of course.”
    Tryfod looked sternly over his shoulder. “Eliza, let’s not get ahead of ourselves and scare the child.”
    Eliza huffed gently. “I was just introducing myself, and I was just wondering if the child needed anything to drink to warm her up. It’s drafty in this blasted room.” Eliza looked down at Ruth again. Ruth noticed her gentle eyes. “Well, my dear, can I get you a blanket or something warm to drink?”
    Ruth nodded. “I would appreciate something warm to drink. Thank you.”
    Eliza smiled. “Lucin!” She didn’t bother to wait for Lucin to appear before she started her command. “Fetch Mistress Ruth some hot chocolate, will you?”
    Lucin appeared by Ruth’s side with the hot chocolate before Ruth had time to figure out which direction he was coming from. He handed her a mug filled to the top with little white marshmallows, just the way she liked it. She took it and tried a small sip. She stopped. It was simply the most delicious hot chocolate that she had ever tasted. It was like drinking a chocolate chip cookie, and the marshmallows were little, sweet pillows of fluff on her tongue. She swallowed the cup in big gulps. She licked her lips.
    Eliza winked. “I see you enjoyed the hot chocolate. It’s one of our family recipes.”
    Lucin appeared by Ruth’s side, took the empty mug away, and disappeared. Ruth could not figure out that little man. She started to get annoyed with him, but she knew she had bigger things to worry about.
    Tryfod shut the book he was holding. He had a worried smile on his face. He nodded to Eliza, who went back to her seat. He walked over to Ruth. “Mistress Ruth, now we can begin.”
     

     
     

Tryfod waved his large hand, and the room dimmed. Ruth peered around uncomfortably. Tryfod waved his hand again and a blue cloud appeared in the middle of the room. Ruth searched the room for a projector or a screen, but she didn’t spot anything. Her heart began to beat a little faster as Tryfod began to tell the story as a movie appeared in the cloud...
     
“Long ago, our people were simple people - farmers, bakers, and blacksmiths. They lived in a beautiful town on the top of a hill. They weren’t governed by a king or a parliament. They were peaceful and kind, and they worked very hard. At night, they would perform little shows for each other. 
One night while everyone was asleep, a group of bawdy vagrants made their way into the town. They began breaking into people’s houses and slaughtering people’s animals. The townsmen quickly gathered and chased the vagrants out of the town. The next day things returned to normal, and that night there was a