“Whatever you call it young sir, your indiscretions have caused much talk in this community. Gnome now speaks to gnome in questioning whispers. Whatever your purposes, you have caused quite a stir.”

“That was not my intention, sir.”

“Your intentions are irrelevant,” Archibald fumed with a vein rising in his forehead. “Whatever you claim to have seen, it would be wise to divulge anything that you have learned. The council would not want any harm to befall you due to something easily preventable.”

Aubrey felt something white and hot rising within him; something totally incongruous with his nature. As the old gnome’s voice died down a greater force bubbled up. He set down the tea kettle.”

“Mr. Porter, I know what I saw,” his voice trembled. “I saw an owl and I spoke with an owl. And I’m not hiding anything from the council. You can save your threats and your arguments. Now I’m going to politely ask you to leave.”

The elder was taken aback. He paused a moment to compose himself. Straightening his shirt he said: “My friend, I can only encourage you to abandon your delusions for your own sake. And if anything should come to your mind, I pray you would have the sense to bring it to us before inciting any more rumors. You owe that to your community if not to yourself.” He leaned heavily on his cane and turned toward the door.  He took a step and paused as if he were about to say something else. In a moment, though, he was gone and Aubrey let out a sigh--- his hand was trembling. The tea boiled in the kettle…