CHAPTER 10
XARINGMERE CRAGG RISE
Dapper's paws skidded to a halt on the polished wooden floor, the sudden silence in the cottage screaming its lungs out. The scent of stewed tea, and a hint of woodsmoke lingered from last night's fire. The human was a glorious silhouette against the window's light, the lace curtains stirring lazily in the breeze.
Hopper's words hung in the air, heavy as a dropped acorn, "Goldwynn's looking for the Locke Jewel. She thinks it's a key to something big. Papa Koala's gone, and I was gonna tell him..."
The room seemed to shrink. Dapper's mouth was agape, his glassy gaze drifting to the fireplace, where cinders still glowed like dying fireflies in the ash. A half-finished cup of tea sat on the hearth, steam no longer rising from its surface. The Bears' absence was a gnawing ache.
His mind stumbled, like a paw slipping on a leaf. Missing bears? The forest's heartbeat seemed to falter. He replayed the previous night's sounds – the owls, the rustling leaves... had there been a warning?
Goldwynn's voice broke the spell, her words measured. "I have a map of the Locke mansion. It leads to a place called the Xaringmere Cragg Rise. And for some reason it's marked with a bold X !”
Hopper's gaze snapped to the map, his nose twitching. Chipper followed, his paws making barely a sound on the floorboards. The map was spread on the wooden table, weighed down by a crystal apple streaking pale red highlights on the map.
Chipper's voice was a bare whisper, "What happens at the Xaringmere Cragg Rise?"
Goldwynn hesitated, her eyes locking onto Hopper's. "I think something's been hidden there. Something the Locke family wanted kept a secret."
Hopper's paws flexed, his eyes narrowing. "Papa Koala said the Locke Jewel's guarded by a shadow."
Chipper's ears folded back, a shiver tracing his spine. A shadow !! The forest's stories weren't always kind.
Goldwynn leaned in, her voice a thread. "Want to see the map?"
Hopper and Dapper nodded, slow. Chipper mirrored the motion, his mind racing with questions.
Goldwynn smiled, producing a yellowed, crumpled map . "This was nestled in the Locke mansion. I think it leads to the jewel. Or a key to it."
Hopper's eyes went wide as Chipper launched himself onto the table, paws splaying out like a tiny dancer. "Lemme see!"
The map revealed a serpentine path through the forest, symbols marking gnarled sentinels and sun-dusted clearings. Chipper's nose crinkled, recognizing landmarks. "I know this trail! It hits the Misting Moor Manor– a crumbly old monument with pockets full of memories."
Dapper's ears perked, intrigued. "What kinda memories?"
Chipper's grin was a mischievous crescent. His mind careened like a pinecone in a storm. Missing bears? A treasure hunt? He was eager for action.
Papa Koala said the Pioneers stashed goods there. Sacks, chests and whatnot.
If the Locke Jewel's a key, that's our spot." His voice was a notch above a squeak.
Goldwynn's eyes sparkled like dew on a spiderweb. "Sounds like we've got a treasure hunt on our hands…and paws."
The trio exchanged a look, their brains humming like a hive of bees. The forest was a puzzle, and they were about to crack it.
Hopper tapped the map, his paw steady. "Let's map our raid. But first, we need to find Papa Koala and the bears."
Chipper nodded, "I'm in. When do we roll?"
Goldwynn chuckled, tucking a stray lock behind her ear.
Dapper, puny in his stature, stared blankly at all of them. Would he be of any help...or simply get underfoot inviting their annoyance?
To Be Continued...
This post is part of the Blogchatter A2Z Challenge 2026.
https://www.theblogchatter.com/blogrolls/xaringmere-cragg-rise
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