I scanned the leader board and realized once again that I was dropping in rank. I set off but I was doomed to spin three zero's. I shrugged and decided to buy in once again. If I couldn't get a better score this time, I would have to hope for the best. I cleared the rooms and found enough tokens for 4 spins, finally! I spun the dreaded wheel and closed my eyes. This time I did fantastic! It wasn't epic 50% spins but it was good enough to give me a score of 240,150. I was happy with that. I skipped off in search of Dal. I found her near Armours and Banners but she refused to talk. She completely blew me off and when I asked about Nimie, she looked nervous.

"What is going on, Dal." I asked for third time. That's the lucky number right? Wrong! She just looked around and went back to cleaning Armours and Banners. I sighed and knew I wouldn't get anyway. I would have to go find Nimie and see for myself. I left as she cried out in triumph and pulled out a Mask of Virtue. I made my way back to the tournament hall and watched the leader boards for the last two minutes of the tournament. I noticed Dal couldn't quite make it in to the top 100. I didn't feel great about that because I remember the quests she was soon to dive in to. There were so many doubles that I screamed. I hope she would fair better in the next one. I gathered up my 36 diamonds from the mailman and decided to head home. I would make some chicken broth for Nimie. I didn't know if she was sick or what was going on but I felt I should do something for her. She usually never misses a tournament. I waved goodbye to all my friends still milling about the tournament hall and headed home. It had been a good day and all I needed was one more placement in the top 100 for that orange kitty. It had been a decent day in Midnight Castle. The tournaments were back and I got a few needed inventory items while waiting. The only thing missing had been Nimie's smiling face in the tournaments. What was going on with her? Had something happened to her after she joined the Elephant Brotherhood? She had seemed a little off the day I spied on their entry. I had no choice but to find out. She may not be a close friend but I was worried.

The Missing Shadow Thief

I arrived home and started working quickly on the chicken broth. It was late in the night when it was completed but I decided to head over to Nimie's anyway. I let Brite tag along with me as he was worried about me going alone. He thought it could be a trap set by the Elephant Brotherhood. The thought had crossed my mind but if Nimie was sick or worse well, I had to find out! I made my way over to Nimie's house but the house was dark. There wasn't even a whisper of candle glow in any of the windows. I knocked on the door and the door swung open. I glimpsed the living area by moonlight. It had been ransacked. I adjusted the pot in my hands and stepped inside. The stench knocked me over. It smelled of unwashed bodies, sickness and something metallic. I set the pot down quickly and grabbed a handkerchief out of my backpack. I covered my nose and mouth to block out the horrid smell. Brite sneezed and the room lit up like a firework display. I gasped to see the true state of the room. The furniture (what little there was) was broken beyond repair and there were red droplets on the floor and back wall. I backed up a step but narrowed my eyes and continued forward.

"Nimie! Are you here," I called out, sending out a thousand prayers a second. It wasn't looking good. I heard a whimper from the bed chamber and made my way over. I opened the door to find much of the same destruction. There was blood upon the mattress and a large gash with feathers spilling out. I shook my head in disbelief. Was Nimie dead? What had happened in this house? I followed the sounds of the whimpering and found Nimie's Snow Griffin shivering under her bed. He backed up towards the wall when he saw me. I had no choice but to remove the handkerchief. I pulled out a bag of simple food and slowly coaxed the frightened animal from under the bed. I told Brite to run back to our house and find Gryff. I only hoped the two Snow Griffin's could communicate enough to let me know what happened. It didn't take long for my two pets to return. Gryff squawked at the unfamiliar Snow Griffin and soon the two were chattering away.

"They came last night. They were looking for something but Nimie wouldn't tell them what they wanted to know," Gryff explained, "She's gone, Rahia!"
"Gone? As in," I ran my finger across my throat.
"He doesn't know. She's just gone."
"Oh no. Does he know where?"
"No," Gryff said after a few short squawks.

Continued...

"Tell him he can come home with us until we find Nimie," I said with a sigh, closing my eyes. I didn't want the poor thing to see the dread that I was sure had filled them.
"I already did. He also said her other pets ran away. He doesn't know where they went."
"We'll find them as well. Let's go. I don't think there is anything else we can do here," I glanced around the room. It was a mess and as I had never been to Nimie's house before I didn't know if anything was missing.

I picked up the younger Snow Griffin to lend it some of my warmth. The poor thing curled into a ball and shivered the whole way back to my house. I had no clue where to start searching but I would put a notice of the message boards in Town. Hopefully, someone had seen something odd. I just hope she was all right! I knew I would have to corner Dal again at the next tournament. I didn't know how but I was going to make her talk!

My other pets gathered around the poor Snow Griffin when we arrived home. They each brought him more food and even blankets and toys. I knew all the poor creature wanted was Nimie back. I sighed and sat back in my chair. Had it been the Elephant Brotherhood? Should I search out Just John and ask? I rubbed my eyes, trying to rid myself of the scene I had stumbled upon. No, he couldn't do that! Could he?

The Winning Prize

The day dawned clear and bright. I put Gryff in charge of the young Snow Griffin and headed to the Towns message boards. I left a note explaining what I had seen the night before and asked for any information on Nimie's whereabouts. I then headed over to the Tavern and my dice game with Salty. He rolled me into submission with a 2-1 win. I sighed and knew this was going to be a bad day. I stopped by the airship and loaded it up, picking up my Exclusive food and two Unique Stamps. The Evil Gnome Trio once again handed me Helping Hand and I politely told them where they could stick it. I had time to kill before the afternoon tournament. I had completely missed the morning one. I headed towards the Fortune Wheel and to my surprise found a Squirrel Egg there. I decided to test how truly awful my luck was today and spun. It was to my surprise that I won four eggs! I tried a few more times but only came up with diamonds, wands and balls. It was better than nothing!

I roamed around asking the inhabitants of the Castle when they had last seen Nimie but most said it had been a week or more. Was that true? Could they be in league with whoever took her? Was I becoming paranoid? I was relived when the mailman found me to tell me the tournament would start in an hour. I was determined to get that orange kitty/ tiger pet! I slowly made my way towards the tournament grounds and waited. I didn't see Dal enter even thought I kept a watch on the main doors. I was sure she would show, however. She would want that pet as much as I did! I made small talk with a few of my friends and even traded a few items for things i needed. It was a pleasant way to pass the hour.

Continued..

It wasn't long before the whistle blew and I set off towards those massive doors. I had already had it set in my mind that I would buy in three times just to get the kitty. The first go through didn't give me much of a fighting chance so I paid in. I watched the tournament holder smile as I handed him the five diamonds. He waved his hand with a flourish and blew the whistle. I once again ran off towards those massive doors. I did much better that time! I thought that score of over 233k would assure me a top 100 spot. I whistled and headed off to find Dal. I couldn't find her anywhere! I searched for 20 minutes and the whistle blew again. I thought about ignoring and glanced at the leader boards. I was dropping in rank so I ran through the massive doors! It was a horrid round with only 5 tournament chips found and a lousy 10%. The tournament holder nudged me when I came out but I refused to budge. I would wait and see! I set off to find Dal again but either she was hiding behind all of the people or she wasn't playing. I frowned and waited for the next blow of the whistle.

It came while I was wandering around the Underground Grotto and ran like the wind back to those massive doors. I finished up with slightly better luck but not to do any good for my score. I looked at the leader board and saw Dal two spots ahead of me with over 235k. So, she was out there somewhere! I ran all over but couldn't find her! I sighed and sat down in the tournament hall. I would wait! I sat there for twenty minutes but I saw no signs of her. The whistle blew and I was off! The round was pretty rubbish and I was giving up hope. I didn't have to beat everyone but I did have to beat Dal. I grimaced when I glanced back at the leader boards. She had jumped to over 275k. I winked at the tournament holder and tossed him five diamonds! I was still within my limit. I ran to the double doors but once again found only 5 tournament chips and a 10%. I came out and paid in again. I was determined to at least beat Dal. I smiled when I found 14 chips and a very nice wheel! I was happy with my new score and danced out of the tournament doors. There was still a little over 45 minutes left and I assured a place in the top 100. I would focus on finding Dal.

Continued...

I searched high and low. I even made my way in to the Archives in hopes I would spot her down there. She was becoming a good little hider. I finally had to admit defeat when the five minute whistle blew. I would have to corner her at her house later. I headed back to the tournament hall and ran the massive doors one last time. That one gave me 12 chips but a bunch of zero's. I had used all of my luck. The final whistle blew and the mailman came to deliver my diamonds. The tournament holder called me over and handed me a cage. I looked inside to find the orange kitty. I glared at the tournament holder and let the poor animal out.

"Hi, I'm Champ the Champion! I'm a tiger! I can roar! I can fight! I'm the best," Champ boasted about himself.
"Uh-huh," I nodded, "How much food do you eat?"
"Only twenty unique," he grinned.
"I see," I said and picked him up, stuffing him back in his cage. I turned to the tournament holder, "Can i trade this in for something else?"
"No," he yelled and slammed the window down, "All winning prizes are final! He is your problem now."
"Roar! Let me out! You want a piece of me? Are you glaring at me," Champ snarled at me, "Hiss! Roar! Put 'em up! Put 'em up!"
"Great! I think I'll leave you in there," I threatened.
"You think I can't get out of here! I'm the BEST! I'm the greatest! I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee!"
"Oh for the love of the rainbow," Brite muttered, "Do we have a muzzle? We CAN muzzle him, right?"
"We don't have a muzzle," I sighed and shrugged, "Worst winning prize, EVER!"
"Amen," Brite agreed.
"I can hear you! Wait until I get out of here! I will have rainbow dragon scale armor! I'll make human hide leather braces! I WILL!"
"Yeah, yeah," I rolled my eyes and headed for home.

I quickly made my way to Arabella in the Laboratory but she told me that she hadn't heard from Nimie. She had in fact only met her once and that was it. I frowned and asked where she would go if she was sick.

"That, I do not know," Arabella shrugged, "I guess you could try the Potion Shop."
"I'll do that. Thanks!"
"Hey, about my tasks..," she trailed off.
"I'm still waiting on the Keeper of the Castle," I flung over my shoulder as I walked out of the door. I hope that wait would end soon but this is Midnight Castle!

I ran to the Potion Shop in Cloud City and asked around but no one had seen or even heard from Nimie. I had reached a dead end. Where else could she go? I decided to head back to her house and search around for clues. There had to be something there! I was just about to leave Cloud City when the mailman came running up.

"Tournaments start in an hour," he cried and handed me my mail, "You might want to think about getting a mailbox!"
"I'll get right on that," I replied and waved him off. I wasn't really feeling the tournaments today but I knew I would join. I could search until I was blue in the face for Nimie but I didn't have a ghost of a chance if I didn't know where to start. I ran to her house and did a quick but thorough search. I came up empty except for a small Elephant statue that seemed to be replica of the one I had stolen. I tucked it into my backpack and hoped that this one didn't talk. I set off for the tournament hall and hoped that Dal would be talkative today.

Whispers on the Wheel

I made it to the tournament hall just as the whistle blew. I entered the massive doors and went to work. I found 13 chips on my first go through and spun the wheel. It gave three 30% and a 20%. That was good enough to give over 215k. The oddest thing happened however, during my last spin. I could have sworn the wheel whispered my name. I slowly back away when it clicked on the 20%. I submitted my score and glanced back at the wheel. I admit I didn't really try during the tournament. I only played the free tries and everything went to a very hot place after that. I roamed around the Castle waiting for my next chance and talked briefly to the Lord Chamberlain. He was worried about Nimie as she was working on a Card of Destiny for him. It had been weeks since she had reported back to him. I told him I was looking in to the matter and would let him know.

The tournament whistle came quickly and I rushed back through the massive doors. My luck had finally vanished with the chips and I found only one per room. I spun the wheel and once again heard it whisper my name. I swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat and backed away. I turned and fled when it whispered, "Help me."

I looked on the leader boards and saw Dal way down in the 300's but I had a small ray of hope when I saw Nimie in the 100's. I made my way over to their waiting area but I didn't see Nimie at all! I felt a small chill rise on the back of my spine and the hair stood up on the back of my neck. Was she dead? Had she come back as a ghost? If so, why couldn't I see her? I should be able to see her. I backed away and ran to the Pond of Life. I gathered up some water in a spare Flask of Miracles I had. If I could find Nimie's spirit hopefully this would work to bring her back.

Continued...

The whistle sounded and I ran back through the massive doors. I collected exactly 12 tokens and spun. I had also lost my luck on high spins. I was getting that dreaded 10% between the 20% and 50%. I was getting used to the wheel whispering to me by now and only jumped slightly when it whispered my name again.

"Please, Rahia, help me," the wheel begged.
"How can I help you? Shouldn't you be helping me," I asked lifting an eyebrow and placing my hands on my hip.
"It's Nimie, you ninny," the wheel said.
"What in the blue blazes is going on?"
"I don't know. I don't even know where I am, exactly," Nimie's voice tapered off as I spun the last 10%.
"Blast, I'll have to try again. Wait twenty minutes, okay," I pleaded and hoped she would understand. I wasn't about to take a chance away from some one else by paying in. I didn't even mean to place to begin with, well not so high. The most I was hoping for when I went in the first time was 190,000 something. I sighed and walked out to wait my next turn. Was Nimie perhaps stuck somewhere in the Spirit Realm? Why couldn't I see her ghost? I was so deep in thought that I almost missed the whistle. The kind person sitting next to me nudge me and I set off. I found only 10 chips but that would enable Nimie to talk enough to give me something.

"Okay, Nimie! I'm back! What happened? I have your Snow Griffin. I haven't found your other pets but I am looking," I called to the wheel.
"I was attacked. I was weak from the poison. We had to drink it to enter the Elephant Brotherhood," she explained in between spins, "Dal did fine with it but they used some odd mushroom and I had an allergic reaction."
"Who attacked you," I asked on the last spin.
"I don't know. It wasn't the Elephant Brotherhood as I didn't recognize the voice. I think I'm dead, Rahia," she cried.
"Blast! I'll be back," I promised and stalked back out in to the tournament hall. I looked around for Dal but she was getting good at hiding her movements. I cursed and had no choice but to wait. I knew I would be able to play at least two more times without buying in. I hoped that would be enough!

Continued..