Cookie

Sofosys' POV.

There was a deathly silence all around after I had finished telling my story. Not exactly a story I would say, it was rather the truth about the foundation of Arphoelus and Mafhaelore. It was a tale as old as time itself. The general sense of awe pervading the surroundings unnerved me. Also, the Petrywinkler that Cassie bought home had feased chirping and was now resting on her shoulders, nibbling on her voluminous hairs. 

The silence was broken by Jacob, as usual.

"So, you are not human Sir?" He said in awe. I felt a bit weird revealing my secrets to him, but the burden of proof being on my shoulders, it made the situation even more untoward. 

"We are Goblins." I corrected. 

Michael snorted. 

"Don't think you can fool so many people at once, do you?" He smiled disparagingly. Cassadrei shot him a murderous glance. I smiled inwardly, they already seem to be bonding. Who knew, the Crown Princess of Mafhaelore bonding with mere mortal in such a manner?

The Petrywinkler was running around the room now, sniffing every object in its way while chirping enthusiastically. It was just a baby, afterall. I sighed as Cassie stared at the creature with fondness in her eyes. 

"So, you meant to say that this little puppy is actually a magical creature sent on Earth to annihilate Cassie?" Linda said skeptically. 

"What I mean, is that Cassadrei is the Crown Princess of Mafhaelore and to kill her would give Arphoelus a golden opportunity to cease the entire existence of Mafhaelore. They would very much like it." I replied.

Linda shuddered. 

"You mean, Cassie's life is in danger! Oh no! What should we do now?? Should I tell papa to provide her with top class Security from the firm that employs Papa's bodyguards? They are awesome….so powerful that nothing can destroy them." Linda said proudly, although the terror in her voice was very much evident. 

"It won't do any good." Michael replied, "your father's bodyguards may stop a human attack but if the attack is coming from a supernatural creature, there's little hope that they will be able to stop it." 

This guy is surprisingly intelligent, I thought. 

"So, you believe me now? That I am a Goblin? You don't think that I am a fraud now?" Cassadrei shot. 

Michael looked at her, amused and then said, " I am a man of Science. It is difficult for me to believe what you have told but I see no other plausible explanation for what I had just witnessed. If you were schizophrenic, I can't explain the animal attacks that had happened to both of us and then this little creature attacking all of us. Your explanation, that you are a mythical being is the only one that holds."

"You seem to be a very logical person, Michael." I replied, impressed. 

"It's simple. It's generally in the direction of cause to effect. I have progressed retrospectively in this case, from the effect to the cause. Whatever happened to us was real, as certified by four people and the chances of all four of us hallucinating is statistically impossible.So, whatever happened was true. We were attacked by this little creature. Now, Cassadrei saved us, she talked to this little creature and tamed it in some strange way. I cannot explain how. But what you just said, however improbable it sounds, explains everything completely." Michael said. 

"Yes! If Ellyss were Cassie's descendent, that should explain her healing powers….and as you have said, that each Goblins may sometimes have unique powers which in Cassie's case seems to be her ability to pacify animals."Jacob said, excitedly. 

"Precisely!" I replied, amused by their conclusion, "if only you had listened to your lectures so deeply, you would have done way better, Mr Brooks."

Jacob smiled sheepishly. I always knew that he had enough potential, and being friends with an extraordinary guy such as Michael may be the very proof of it. 

"What do you aspire to become, Michael?" I said. 

"I am a Premed. I aspire to become a Surgeon." Michael replied proudly. 

"I can heal wounds just by touching them!" Cassadrei said tersely. Michael glared at her. They were an adorable pair, I thought. 

Meanwhile, Linda had approached the little creature, and was feeding him chocolate chip cookies, which he was devouring gratefully.

"Lin! You shouldn't give it chocolates!" Jacob shouted. 

Cassadrei laughed and then said, "Don't worry Jacob, it's not a puppy. Chocolate isn't a Petrywinkler's poison. If anything,it enhances their strength and let's them bond better."

"Ooooooo…. let's give it a name! Let's call him cookie because he loves cookies." Linda chimed. 

"Cookie is a good enough name." I said, "but keeping a Petrywinkler at home might be a dangerous idea. I would recommend you to proceed with caution."

"He's going nowhere." Cassadrei said defensively, "He is homeless and alone. I will protect him and he might turn out to be a great asset. I will train him. Please, please let me keep him." She pleaded. 

I guess she had a point. Petrywinkler's can be really helpful if they are well trained. 

"Okay! Cookie will be with us. And if anyone asks, it's our new pet puppy." I declared. 

 Cassadrei clapped her hands in joy, Michael grimaced, Jake and Linda were visibly excited. 

"That means I will know a magical creature from now on! How exciting!" Linda exclaimed. 

"Now, now.." I began, "You all must keep this a secret. If everyone comes to know about our true origins, it would do us no good! We may be executed for performing sorcery! You know how it is."

Surprisingly, Jake was the first to speak, "You can be assured, Sir. We will never speak of it to anyone. And, we will help you in every possible way!"

I felt grateful for his statement. He was behaving surprisingly sensitive. However, I couldn't take any risks, not when we were so close to returning home now. 

"I am afraid that you will have to sign a non-disclosure agreement. It's something that states that if you violate our trust, you will be facing grievous consequences." I said sternly. 

"What? There's a non-disclosure agreement! I don't think I want to sign any such thing that pertains to "grievous consequences" or something like that." Michael said mockingly. 

"Mike, look he has a point. This agreement will guarantee that we don't blabber their secrets and put them in danger. We owe Cassie this much, she saved our lives! And in your case, twice! I am signing the agreement." Jake replied, once again demonstrating surprising maturity. 

"Me too! I have no issues." Linda said. 

"Okay fine! I will sign it." Michael agreed, grudgingly. 

They signed the agreement as Cassadrei fed meatloaf to Cookie. I watched with great interest as she bonded so easily with so frightening a creature. Petrywinklers possess unfathomable powers, they are considered as the deadliest of beasts...and to befriend one would require staggering ingenuity. But then, if what Cassadrei told me was true, then this Petrywinkler was sent by Arphoelus and I am genuinely surprised as to how he could tame one!

However, Michael was here. He is the key to our path of returning. I must stay calm and hatch a foolproof plan. Every variable counts here, and any slight mistake can create disastrous results. So, the first thing I do, is put a strong charm in the non-disclosure agreement. The agreement in itself is simply a mundane piece of paper, written in formal language to act as a placebo so that these kids think that they can't reveal our secret. In reality, on signing this agreement, they will be compelled to not say the secret even if they wanted. They will be tongue tied, beat around the bush and never be able to reveal our secret even if they consciously wanted to.

I had made sure of that.