The Black Fountain

Outside Tanzarian explained to the men that they could all explore the city and relax for the rest of the fair. They were all a merry bunch those days, for they thought for sure they would destroy all evil in the world soon. That day Friculon, who told them had grown up in Cove, offered to show Tanzarian and his friends around town. Tank declined, not liking the hustle and bustle of large towns. Lock, too, put down the offer. Only Tanzarian and Derek decided to come along. Friculon took them to the main street in Cove, Cover Main. "Here on this street," explained Friculon, "Is where all of the main shops and guilds are. Many a day I have walked down these streets, in my childhood of course." They continued only a little way down the street and stopped in front of a bakery. A smooth and almost quiet smell came over them. " I remember walking down to the bakery and smelling the sweet smell of bread and baked goods. As the smell would quietly drift over across the street I would follow it. It led me to the carpenter’s shop. I spent many days chewing bread while carving." They walked for a while down the street before stopping again. Derek noticed they had already passed the Inn they were to stay at.

In front of them was a large square. There were many peoples, and beasts alike, working to prepare everything for the fair. One rather large man, that resembled Tank, came up to Friculon to greet him. In fact, while walking down Cover Main, many people had greeted Friculon. It seemed he was quite popular to these people. "Aye there Friculon, mate!" The large man patted Friculon on the back. "This work be hard, mate!" He seemed to be a very merry fellow. "Yes, Jolly, it must be. But you all will be awarded when the fair rolls around." Jolly smiled and continued lifting a pile of boards. Secretly, Friculon waved his hands toward the boards. Jolly felt them become lighter.

Derek soon left Friculon’s company. He wanted to go out and see the sea, as he had never before. Tanzarian, also wished badly to see the wondrous sight, but felt it rude to leave Friculon. He was a good friend to him. From the Town Square they walked through a path, surounded by mullberry. The trees surounded them like beasts staring them down. Tanzarian felt as though the gaze was piercing through him and it was as cold as ice. He did not like this place. "Where is this place?" asked Tanzarian, not being able to take his eyes off the trees. "Oh, this is the path that leads o where I live. It’s called Mullberry Street, because of the surrounding mullberry." They continued walking. "But Friculon, these trees seem to be calling me somehow. I feel drawn to them by an unseen force that I cannot explain. Is there some secret to these trees?" Friculon stopped. In a hoarse whisper he said, "Yes, well, these trees do have somewhat a solemn purpose in Cove. You see, when Cove was first founded by James D. Cove he planted this whole line of mullberry trees. He loved mullberry more than any other natural thing. He felt as though they were the best beuty in all of Deckbin. But, as the saying goes, every rose has it’s thorn. An evil wizard named Herty-Skull, who lived in Cove, set a curse on the trees. He hated James D.