Several huts of villagers were on fire. The food stand was burnt to ash, and many of the petpets at the Ye Olde Petpet Shoppe had to be evacuated to Illusen's Glade, as her faerie magic was able to keep the flames at bay.

The fires were currently being fought by every magic and mundane ability available, and soon the damage would be contained. But, the fact remained that it had started. And worse, it had been started intentionally.

A kingdom-wide arson was a devastating crime, and King Skarl was determined to get to the bottom of it. He sent Jeran himself out to investigate who had tried to burn his kingdom to the ground, while the crisis was still ongoing.

Being the good knight he was, he agreed. And soon came across his first clue. A flaming arrow, straight from the Ultimate Bullseye training grounds.

There had been only a single squire training that day, a young Kacheek named Neil. Jeran was standing before him, questioning what he had to say for himself.

"Forgive me, Sir Jeran." The Kacheek said, "For I did fire the arrow. But, at the time of my shooting, I was suddenly hit by a flying doll of Kass, that spoiled my aim, making the arrow go through a flaming hoop and into town. Had it not been for that doll, the arrow would have struck true, and the fire would not have started. Find who hit the doll, and you will find the true culprit!"

Young Neil looked bewildered. "The strangest thing happened. After I observed the object which caused the accident, I immediately turned my gaze upon the flames in horror. When I next looked at the doll, it had vanished!"

Jeran considered. It sounded very much like an invented tale, but it was so preposterous that it seemed unlikely the Kacheek would not have thought up a better story or shifted the blame. "Do you remember anything particular about the doll, or the direction it had come from?" he asked with an internal sigh.

Neil said hesitantly, "It happened so suddenly that I cannot be sure of the direction, and I do not remember anything special about the doll. I was positioned there". The Kacheek indicated a spot at the end of the track opposite the bullseye target (the fire covering the hoop had long since been put out).

Jeran walked over to the spot. There were dense bushes at this end, so it would have been easy to hide. Jeran started combing through the bushes, hoping without enthusiasm that there might be a clue. He was about to give up when his eyes noticed...

"Neil come see this!" Jeran exclaimed. When the Kacheek made it over to the bushes, he gasped.

"Why that footprint is so small, I can hardly believe something that tiny would be able to throw a plushie far enough to reach my arrow," Neil said in disbelief.

"Yes, I agree with that assessment," Jeran replied. "However I believe that this footprint was not from the one who threw the plushie, but is actually from the one who retrieved it." Jeran crouched down to closely inspect the scene. "If we look at the branches of this bush they are broken closer to the ground, suggesting that something small darted out of them. Judging by the spaces between the toes of this footprint and the thick claw marks present, I have to conclude that it was most likely left by a Turmac," Jeran exclaimed while standing back up.

"So if you can find the Turmac you should be able to retrieve the doll and identify the suspect!" Neil replied excitedly.

"Yes, that is what I believe as well. Following the direction of this footprint, it appears that our Turmac has headed North, so I better be on my way if I wish to intercept it." Jeran gathered his things and bid Neil farewell. North of the Ultimate Bullseye grounds is Meri Acre Farms; however, further past that hangs Darigan Citadel. Jeran wondered to himself which one the Turmac was heading towards as he began his trek North.

"Ow," Jeran said idly as he ran into a Turmac heading south; clearly the Lupe was not paying attention. The Petpet turned around and gave him a slight sneer before continuing its jaunt.

Unfortunately, the plushie was nowhere to be seen... maybe this was the wrong Turmac. However, out of the corner of his eye, Jeran saw a tuft of purple plush stuck on the Turmac's tooth -- part of the plushie! And, a glint off the Turmac's neck -- a collar! He quickly ran back toward it and stopped it before examining its collar: "Gilbert," it read.

"Ow!" Jeran said again as it nipped at him. Whatever, Jeran thought. He had the piece of information he needed. Gilbert, of course, was the owner of Meri Acres Farms--

"And Item Retrieval Service!?" Jeran gawked with a start when he read the addendum to the familiar Meri Acres Farm sign.

"That's right there, mis'ser," drawled the Gelert as he approached Jeran. "Can't make enough Neopoints growin' berries and such -- people only pick 'em on Illusen's Day -- so I assembled a Petpet fleet and run a service where the countryfolk can come and tell me where and when they need an item picked up from Meridell, and I send a Petpet to go and retrieve it and then come back. For a nominal fee of course." Gilbert gave a lopsided grin. "I run it with the help of Nancy from the Meridell Petpet shop -- she's my business partner -- and some of the money does go to her." He shrugged. "But what is it you want from me?" He almost smiled giddily. "Care to pick your own?"

The Lupe took all this in. The plushie must really have been owned by whomever used Gilbert's service. "Er, no, I am not here to go berry picking," Jeran replied; Gilbert's face fell. "I was wondering who may have requested the retrieval of a Kass Doll from the Ultimately Bullseye Grounds recently? I believe it was a Turmac who picked it up. I'm trying to find out wherefrom the doll came -- particularly, who threw it there to begin with."

Gilbert scrunched his face. "Sorry mis'ser, but that sort of information is confidential."

"I'm on official business from the King," said Jeran proudly.

"Well in that case I'm most definitely not telling you," the Gelert grumbled before turning around and heading the other way. "But it wasn't me who threw the doll, that I assure you. Ask anyone around here, I haven't left the farm all week."

Jeran frowned. Something was amiss -- Gilbert was acting awfully suspicious. Admittedly Jeran didn't think the Gelert had the intelligence or the care to start a fire in Meridell. If it wasn't him that was involved in this, it must have been one of his close associates. And then it hit him! He had to find and talk to...

Jeran quickly turned back, running towards the still-smoldering city. Ash was clogging the air, fluttering through the soft breeze like acrid snow. The wind shifted, and Jeran felt the heat of the far-off blaze. Most of the fires had been put out, but like vibrant orange flowers on the horizon, some areas continued to burn. Jeran glanced up to the greyed skies, gazing at the city he loved in ruins; he felt tears prick his eyes, but convinced himself it was only from the ash-fall.

Slowly, he continued down the road. The air was growing thick and dark, hot with near-by flames and filled by the sharp cries of foremen shouting out orders to quell the blaze. Coughing, Jeran wound his way through the maze of streets not by sight--the ash was too dense--but from memory. He saw what was left of Nancy's shop as he hurried towards Illusen's Glade. The air slowly cleared as he came nearer, until it was finally sweet and fresh with the faerie's magic. Everything in the Glade was still green and full of life. Jeran looked for Illusen, having expected her to greet him at the entrance, as she did all visitors.

"Here, my child," Illusen called weakly from behind a thick clutch of trees.

Jeran hurried over. The faerie was surrounded by Nanci's rescued petpets, jaunting happily through the grass. "What happened to you?"

"I must protect my Glade by magic. It is a constant drain. I am powerful, but my magic comes from nature, and all around nature is being burned," she answered calmly. Seeing the troubled look on Jeran's face, she added "It is hardly anything to worry over; the fires are nearly put out. When all is right, I will be able to lower my shields and use my magic to heal the landscape."

Jeran nodded. "If you're sure you're alright..." he paused, sighing, "I came for Nanci. I know she would never leave the petpets alone, she has to be here. Where is she?" Illusen shrugged. "She left, an hour ago."

"What?" Jeran stammered. "Where did she go?"

"I'm not sure," the faerie answered. "There was a squire that came. A Kacheek. He said he was acting upon the king's orders and that it was urgent."

A Kacheek? Neil? The confusion hit Jeran hard. Neil was far too low ranking to be working directly with King Skarl. Many of the upper-tier members of court were out working the fire, true, but not nearly enough for Skarl to turn to Neil. He was far too young, far too new. But if he wasn't working for the king, why had he come for Nanci?

Then he realized--it had been about an hour since he had talked to Neil. After Jeran had left, he had come straight here. He thought he had exonerated the young squire, but now he was having doubts. Gilbert, Neil, Nanci… they all knew something. But what?

Jeran thought for a moment, struggling to come up with an answer...

Who would have had the means to access the crime scene, but a squire himself? What would a lowly squire want more than to cause the changing of the monarchy that constantly left them working until dawn, with nothing but an ungrateful oafish King to report to?

Coughing, Jeran thanked Illusen and ran back to the smoke-filled streets of Meridell. The King's loyal were keeping the fires at bay, managing to save the food shoppe with the help of the nearby mortog bog's water. But that was just it, everyone was out, out of the castle!

It was the perfect plan, leaving the castle itself open, empty, save for a lazy King who wouldn't even deign to go help out his people!

But why would Neil take Nanci too? What would a rogue squire possibly need a petpet keeper for?

With that thought, there could only be one thing to do, and Jeran ran...

How will this story end?

He fell into pace along a path he knew well, one he traversed each time he returned home from a journey or quest away from the castle, and was free to devote his thoughts to the problem afoot, rather than the placement of a foot.

Nanci... Gilbert... what did they have to gain from the destruction of Meridell, their home, their place of business? Nothing, he realized. They stand nothing to gain - so they most likely do not know what the young squire is capable of! He had to hurry, he had to reach the castle in time to stop Niel from causing any more mayhem!

Soon, the castle came into view, and Jeran pushed himself just a little harder, thundering down the path to the castle and storming through the doors without waiting to say his normal greetings to the guards stationed outside the doorways.

He stomped down the hallways of the castle, searching for any sign of the Kacheek or the Ixi. Suddenly, a flash of movement caught his eye, and when Jeran swiveled, he saw something small and green- a Karren, presumably one of Nanci's petpets! He followed it down the hallway, almost losing it as it flapped through the hall like a bat out of the Citadel. It stopped outside a small door, screeching and clawing at the door.

Jeran clutched his sword, unsure what he would find on the other side of the door, and cautiously pushed it open to find... Nanci! She looked up at him with a look of fear, but when she recognized Jeran, she relaxed.

"Oh, I thought you were that horrid Kacheek, again," she lamented. The Karren launched itself through the sky and into her arms, and she nuzzled its head with her nose.

"What do you know of Neil's plot?" Jeran questioned, stepping aside so that the Ixi and her petpet could leave the closet.

"I know that he's up to something nefarious," she replied, stroking the top of the Karren's head with one paw. "I grew suspicious about him when he showed up at Illusen's Glade and asked to borrow some of my petpets... so, when he left, I followed him here. But when I confronted him, he overpowered me and pushed me into that closet. Thank you so much for finding me!"

"Of course, Nanci," the knight responded, though he was already planning his next step in his head. "Thank you for your help, you're free to go home, or back to Illusen's Glade."

"Be careful, Jeran!" she warned. "Neil is clever. And he still has some of my petpets. I believe he plans to use them as a distraction, though for what, I cannot say."

"Do you know which way he went?" Jeran asked, realizing that the halls of the castle were many, and often twisted and turned in confusing ways. He couldn't spare much time, he had to find Neil.

"I don't," Nanci lamented. But as she said that, the Karren in her arms took to flight once more, fluttering in front of Jeran.

"Ahh," Nanci said with a smile, "I believe Karen can take you to him."

Karen the Karren chirped in agreement.

"Please, lead the way," Jeran told the petpet, waving a farewell to Nanci. The petpet took off down the hallway, and Jeran followed without hesitation, turning down each hallway with the urgency of a Lupe on a mission.

Finally, Karen stopped again outside a door, though this one was much larger, and more decorative. And what's more, Jeran recognized it! This was the door to the throne room, where the king no doubt would be. Jeran burst through the doors with his sword drawn and a snarl on his lips.

"Neil!" he challenged, releasing a low growl. "Your plot ends now!"

The Kacheek had his bow trained on the king, who was slumped over in his chair and loudly snoring, but he turned in surprise at the interruption.

"You're too late, knight!" he replied, though Jeran could see that his confidence was slipping; he knew he was done for the moment Jeran burst through the doors.

"Huh?" King Skarl's head snapped up at the sound. "What's going on here?"

But neither knight nor squire responded; they were glaring at each other from across the room, one clutching his sword and the other his bow. Jeran took a step forward, and Neil did the same; this was a standoff.

"What is happening here?" Jeran asked, his eyes narrowing at Neil.

"I used the fires as the first distraction for my rebellion," Neil answered, a smirk present on his face. "Then, when they sent you after me, I used the plushie to send you on a wild Turmac hunt. And then, to distract the king's own guards, I released that meddling Ixi's petpets outside of the throne room. I could have had the kingdom of Meridell all to myself! And I still will - you won't stop me! Not now, when I'm already so close!"

Then Neil released the bow string and let the arrow fly, straight for Jeran! But the Lupe dove out of the way, leaping up from the roll and tackling the traitorous squire.

Karen cheered and Skarl grumbled his thanks as Jeran stood up, holding the Kacheek by the back of his shirt and forcing him back to his feet.

"It's not time to cheer yet," the noble knight stated. "Fires still blaze across Meridell. The best of our kingdom have been working to put out these fires, but some still burn. My job is not done until our kingdom is safe again."

"Well, what should we do with him?" Skarl asked, his eyes narrowed with anger as he addressed Neil.

Jeran smirked. "Well, I think we just found a new volunteer firefighter!"

The End