The Tiny Ringmaster (7 page)

Ruth was sitting very still, staring at Tryfod in amazement. She couldn’t believe that she mattered so much to these people, especially since they had been through so much. Eliza cleared her throat. “Tryfod, don’t you think you should give the child a break? This is a lot to take in. We don’t want to frighten her.”

Tryfod shrugged. “Mistress Ruth, do you need to take a break? I know this must be a lot to digest.” Ruth shook her hand anxiously; she didn’t want to stop listening. She certainly didn’t want Tryfod to stop or to get side-tracked. She just had to know what happened next. “No sir, no! Please, please go on!” Tryfod smiled. “Ok, my child, I will go on if you insist.” Ruth nodded again furiously. “I do insist! I do!”

“Well, I suggest you get comfortable again. The next part gets a little tricky.” Ruth sat back down in her chair and tried to get comfortable. Tryfod cleared his throat. “Alright now, where was I? Ah yes. The first traveling performance...

The townspeople were more discouraged than ever. Waves of depression took over. The Elders knew that they needed some type of miracle. Performing, which used to be a wonderful gift, had become a chore. They would never win back their land if their performers didn’t have the heart to perform.

Juscus came up with an idea. He discussed with the other Elders, and they all agreed, though hesitantly. He would call for a visioner – a type of psychic. The visioner would come, and the Elders would then make a decision based on visioner’s prediction. Juscus figured it was their best bet. In the meantime, the Elders cancelled all practices. No one protested.

The night that the visioner arrived was stormy – much like the night that the Elders returned from their journey. The townspeople were very anxious, and not many of them slept that seemingly endless night. People started to gather outside the Elders’ quarters at sunrise, waiting for some kind of sign that a decision had been reached. Juscus eventually came out of the Elders’ quarters to announce that they would be having a meeting in the great tent in one hour. He quickly returned back to the quarters. No one knew what was going to happen, and everyone was fearful.

All the townspeople gathered under the great tent. Everyone looked tired and beaten down; they were no longer the happy people from the village. Their hearts were still pure and good, but their tolling lives were beginning to take a toll.

The Elders entered, and everyone became silent. Juscus stepped forward. ‘As you know,’ he said, ‘our good man, the visioner here, was invited to give us guidance. We have discussed his prophecy, and you need to hear it directly.’ The townspeople started to whisper. Surely it had to be good news, or the Elders would have delivered the prophecy themselves. The Elders looked grave and tired, which caused unease throughout the audience.

The visioner stepped forward. He waved his hands and a blue fog fell inside the great tent. Everyone was silenced again. He closed his eyes, held out his hands, and began reciting the prophecy...

 ‘Living high on the hill,
Living low on the land,
You have seen neighboring towns,
Working with your humble hands.
You don’t know this yet,
But one day soon you will.
Each and every one of you is filled
with powerful magic skills.
Your talents are no coincidence;
You were born from the skies above.
You have been set on a hard path,
So that you may know the true value of love.
With some simple guidance,
And hard work to achieve,
You will understand why
it was in your destiny to leave.
You have already toiled hard,
And that will last for generations yet,
But you will grow grander and much richer
if only you let.
You will travel the world,
performing your shows,
Your children will be beautiful,
And people will see you in droves.
Every year you will journey

Back to the fateful spot.
You will perform your best and be turned away
as if it was all for naught.
Many generations from now,

A small child will appear.
She will be bright and talented,
and possess little fear.
With her help, guidance,
and innocent heart,
you will perform one last time,
and return to your start.
All hands will go up
When the fateful question is asked
But Aluxdrov’s descendant will be angry,
So the performance won’t be the last task.
With one more meeting
And a flip of her shiny hair
Little Ruth will change your fate
And you’ll no longer have to be a traveling fair.’”

            Ruth’s mouth hung open. She really couldn’t believe what Tryfod just told her. “Wait, wait, wait. Are you telling me that some ancient people who are even older than my grandparents knew about me? They knew who I am and…and… and…”

            Tryfod interrupted her as gracefully as he could. “Well, yes, my child. It will all be clear soon enough… let’s get you some water and some hot chocolate. Lucin!”

Tryfod walked off to find Lucin, and Ruth was able to sit and catch her breath for a minute. She just had to be dreaming. This absolutely could not be real. No one in their right minds would believe a story like that! She was going to lose her school’s talent show – how exactly was she supposed to help these people win their town back?!

Tryfod returned with a glass of water and a mug of hot chocolate. He handed the small child the glass of water first. “Here, sip this.” Ruth greedily drank the water and handed the glass back to Tryfod. Tryfod tried to stifle his laugh. “Now drink the hot chocolate. It will calm your nerves.” Ruth drank the hot chocolate almost as greedily as the water. All of a sudden, calm came over her. She felt like she was being wrapped in a blanket by her mom, and she didn’t feel as panicked about the whole situation. Tryfod smiled down at her, and his smile once again reminded Ruth of her dad. She felt a pang of homesickness.

“Are you ready to hear the rest of the story Ruth? Or would like to take a little break? I know you must be tired.” Ruth shook her head. She was already feeling better, and she wanted to get to the bottom of all this. “You can go ahead. I’m ready to listen again.”

Tryfod cleared his throat and began again. The blue screen flashed a bright light and returned to the story. “Ummm… oh yes, the visioner…

With another wave of his hand, the visioner cleared the room of the blue fog, and the townspeople sat in silence for a few moments. Each one of them waited to see if anyone was brave enough to ask a question. Finally, whispers started to break out, and before they knew it, the entire great tent was engulfed in questions.

Juscus stepped forward. ‘I know you all must have questions, and we do too. We’re trying to find out answers, and we will inform you all to the best of our abilities. We have some answers now if you would like to ask. We promise to make sense of this prophecy as best as we can.’

A tall man timidly stood up in the back. ‘Elder Juscus, this visioner said we all have magic in us, but we have to learn. Is that true?’ Juscus nodded. ‘Yes.’ The townspeople started loudly talking again in nervous excitement.

Juscus motioned for quiet. ‘We promise to give each and every one of you training for our abilities.’ The townspeople grew quiet once again. They were doubtful of this new plan. ‘I realize this is a lot to digest. New talents, more traveling, more performing, and this mysterious child named Ruth. We will meet again tomorrow morning.’ The room grew quiet.

A young man, about your age Ruth, stood up and looked around. ‘One more question Master Juscus...’ Everyone stared. They were all terrified of what the child was going to ask. Juscus prompted him to continue and said, ‘Yes child, go ahead.’

The child cleared his throat and said, ‘When can we get started with practicing?’

No one in the room moved, but a smile spread through the crowd. Everyone started clapping. Juscus let out a relieved laugh and said, ‘Well, son, as soon as you all want to.’”

Ruth stared again in amazement as the blue screen disappeared. She was feeling much calmer now; she wasn’t sure what she had been so worried about before. She decided that she believed Tryfod. It was all beginning to make sense - their size, their beauty, the city of tents, the lavish decoration. These were the riches and magic the visioner spoke of so many years ago. She had to help them; she now knew she must. She was nervous that she might fail, but the visioner said that she would succeed. Certainly, she didn’t disbelieve a prophecy. She didn’t even care that this may all be a dream. She had a job to do.

Tryfod noticed the internal monologue in the small child and stooped to look her in the eye. “Ruth, I know this is a lot for a child. This role, if you agree to it, is not an easy one. It will take practice and patience.” Ruth began to say yes, but Tryfod halted her. “No, my child, I will not accept an answer tonight. We will introduce you to a few more people and then you must get some rest. You’ve had a strenuous day, and we need you to remain strong and well.”

Ruth looked up at the other Elders. She could tell that they all wanted an answer right away. She knew that she wouldn’t change her mind, but she wanted to follow Tryfod’s instructions. She decided to just nod in agreement. Tryfod nodded in unison with her and held out his hand to help her off of her seat. Ruth hopped down and waved to all the Elders. She didn’t want to let these people down. She was going to try her best to do whatever it took.

Tryfod led her to the doorway. “Alright Mistress Ruth, let’s introduce you to the flock.”

Tryfod and Ruth walked out of the Elders’ room together into a small waiting room. A few dozen people were standing quietly and anxiously. Some jumped when Ruth and Tryfod appeared. Tryfod sensed the unease and made an effort to explain the situation. “Mistress Ruth has been told the great story.” Anxious whispering spread through the crowd. “She has been told the story, and now she must have time to deliberate. I beg that none of you inquire about her decision. She will reveal her answer in the morning.”

Eritol walked over to Tryfod and winked at Ruth. Eritol stuttered quietly, “Tryfod… um… well… that… that… the, the thing that you asked for is ready.” Tryfod nodded and looked down at Ruth. “Ruth, I know you’ve had a very long day. I will ask one more thing of you tonight, and then we will leave you to your decision.”

Ruth looked at him and asked, “What sir?”

“Well tonight you can help by being yourself. You think you can do that?”