Nadezda woke up early to try to solve the riddle. Valora and Farren followed her downstairs, into the kitchen.

   Norla was up and about. Bacon was frying, and a fresh baking of biscuits was cooling on the counter. She was, at the moment, making lots of scrambled eggs.

   "Hi, Mom," Nadezda said.

   "Good morning," Norla answered.

   Nadezda plunked onto a chair. Farren and Valora sat across from her.

  "Mom, could you pass me a pad, please?" Nadezda asked.

  When she had a pad, she took the pen offered to her by Valora and read the riddle:

 

'Start your search at Gaelan town,

Go to the compass top,

Travel on the path of brown,

There meet Nachshon; stop!'

 

  "Let's start with the first line," Farren suggested.

  "Good idea," Nadezda agreed, "even though it's pretty clear.’Start your search at Gaelan town.' That means we start in Gaelan."

  "Next," Valora said," is 'Go to the compass top.' What does that mean? We have to walk on a compass until we reach the top?"

  Farren thunked Valora's head lightly." If you have a brain in there, then use it," she joked.

  Valora laughed lightly. "Of course. I'm a bit silly this morning, aren't I?"

  They sat in thought for a few minutes. Then Farren spoke up.

   "I got it! What direction does the top of a compass lead to?"

  "Uh, um…the north!" Nadezda said.

 Farren nodded." Which means we have to travel north, from Gaelan." She pointed at Valora. "Your turn to figure out a line."

"The next one is pretty easy," Valora said." We have to travel north on a brown path, starting in Gaelan."

 “‘There meet Nachshon; stop!' “Nadezda read the last line. "Who on earth is Nachshon?"

   "We meet him, after traveling north on a path of brown, from Gaelan," Valora said.

  "We solved the riddle, but the problem is to convince our parents to let us go," Nadezda pointed out.

  "Go where?" Zaeleigh asked, coming into the kitchen. Dacinia was in tow.

  "Yeah, where?" Dacinia asked.

   It took a few minutes to explain. Farren and Valora told them how the riddle had been solved. Then Nadezda told them about trying to convince their parents if they could go.

   "Aw, we want to come, too," Zaeleigh said.

   "By the way, has anyone seen Walter or Douglas? They're missing," Dacinia said.

   "Maybe they left early," Valora suggested.

  "No," Zaeleigh said." I woke up around 2:00 this morning. Walter's shuffling around did it. Then, when I got up this morning, they were gone with their stuff. Except for this." He presented a sharp, gleaming dagger from behind his back, where he had been hiding it.

  Farren gasped." Were they burglars, maybe murderers?"

  "That doesn't really explain anything," Valora said sensibly. "They said they were.... missionaries. Maybe they thought they would need to protect us sometime."

  “They shouldn’t kill except when they are properly told to," Dacinia pointed out.

  "Just 'cause they dress and act like Christians doesn't mean they are Christians," Nadezda said." Anyway, back to the subject."

  "Breakfast," Norla announced. "Bacon and scrambled eggs with biscuits and warm cocoa."

  One by one, the guests drifted downstairs. Afterwards, Nadezda pulled out some cards and board games.

  "How about a Scrabble tournament?" said Gavrila, a young guest.

  Everyone agreed to this, so Nadezda selected guests for the rounds. The game was played and at the finish, Zakeria was proclaimed champion. A snack of chocolate and grape juice was handed out. Then the guests helped clean up. Afterwards, they went home.

 

 

   

 

   "Mom, can't I go?" Nadezda asked.

   It was evening, and Nadezda was helping her mother make potato salad with chicken.

"Nadezda, it's too dangerous," her mother said sensibly." You're only fifteen."

 "I'd bring friends if I could."

 "You would only endanger them," Norla said.

 Nadezda snitched a piece of cooked potato." I'd try to keep them safe.'

"Nadezda, stop this instant!" Norla snapped." It is my duty, as a mother, to look after you, not get you killed! Remember what happened to Eliora."

 The meal preparations were finished in complete silence. Nadezda helped Landra set the table, and then everyone sat down. Her dad said grace, and then they began to eat.

 "So," Melwin said, swallowing a forkful of potato salad," how was your day, Nadezda?"

 "OK," Nadezda said, as she picked at her chicken." We played a Scrabble tournament, and Zakeria won."

 "And she figured out a riddle," Landra piped up.

  Nadezda went pink under her father's strange look.

  "Riddle?" he said. "What riddle?"

 Nadezda explained everything, from receiving the riddle to figuring it out. "And we figured it out for nothing," she finished. "Mom won't let me go."

   Melwin looked at his wife." I'm sure they'd be fine if 2 or 3 adults go with them."

   "Melwin!" Norla gasped. "You aren't saying…."

    "Yes, I am," Melwin said firmly. He turned to Nadezda." I'll let you go if you find some older, experienced people to go with you."

   "Really, Dad? Are you serious?" Nadezda breathed.

   "Yes, Nadezda, I am serious. And I am aware that there will also be danger along the way," Melwin said, "so I will let you take my old bow and arrows. Do not use them unless you are told to  ." He ate some chicken." And above all, trust, obey, and depend on the One above. He will help you should the need arise." He looked at Norla." Norla, I am depending on you to help our daughter to prepare for this venture. She will need food and other necessities."

   Norla looked at her husband sadly." Don't you remember what happened to Eliora?"

  "Yes, I do," Melwin replied." But Norla, I have this feeling that what our daughter is setting to find is no ordinary treasure."

  Nadezda helped her father to clear the table and do the dishes.  

  The next morning, Nadezda fixed sandwiches, drail-the most popular fruit in Galandria- and milk for a quick breakfast. Norla was quiet the whole meal while the rest of the people chatted about the possible upcoming adventure. Landra pestered her father about going, but Melwin said she was too young and refused.

  Nadezda stood up." Come on, Landra. Help me clear the table. Then we'll do dishes together." She looked at her father." You can relax in the living room."

  When everything was neat and orderly, Nadezda went upstairs to select some clothes just in case the journey did occur. She picked out two pairs of pants, two shirts, three pairs of socks, and a pair of hiking boots that she had gotten a week ago as a present from her aunt. She put on a nightgown, brushed her hair and teeth, and did her daily devotions. Then she went to bed.

  The next morning, Nadezda rose early and prepared for the day. She cleaned her room and stored away things that were important to her- other than her Bible- and viewed her work.

  "Well, if I do end up going, I won't be sleeping in this room for a long time," she told herself. "It should look decent even if it is going to be empty. It does look neat." She turned and headed downstairs, where Norla was making breakfast.

  "Hi, Mom," Nadezda said. "I'll be going out for a while." She slipped on her walking shoes, grabbed two biscuits and some bacon and headed out. "Let's see. I will ask Zanorm to come first. I'm sure Valora wouldn't mind. Then I'll ask Sanole, and then maybe …. Zaeleigh's dad. Zaeleigh's mom can stay with my family if he agrees to come. "She set off.

  When she arrived at Valora's house, she knocked on the white door.

  Valora's mom opened it. When she saw Nadezda, she smiled and invited her in.

  "Hello, Nadezda. Would you like to talk to Valora? I can call her."

  "Oh, no, thank you," Nadezda said." I would like to talk to Zanorm. I can wait if he's busy or something."

  Valora's mom was surprised and puzzled. "Alright. I will call him. Please sit in the living room while I do."

  Nadezda went to the living room and sat patiently. After a while, Valora's serious 20-year-old brother, appeared.

  "Hi, Nadezda," he said." You wanted me?"

  "Yes. I have something to ask you."

  Zanorm sat on the couch." OK. What is it?"

  Nadezda explained everything, asked Zanorm to accompany them, and sat waiting for his answer.

  Zanorm considered the story and pondered her question." I… don't know. I would have to talk to my parents. They would probably keep me and Valora home. Mom's going to have a baby and she would probably need us home."

 "Oh. I.. I see." Nadezda was disappointed. "Well... why don't you talk to your parents and let me know as soon as we can."

 "Well, alright," Zanorm agreed.

  He walked her to the door. "Bye, Nadezda. See you soon…hopefully."

  Nadezda hurried down the walk. "Next stop, Farren's house."

 

  Farren opened the door upon Nadezda's knock." Oh, hi, Nadezda. Do you need something?"

  "Actually, I need to talk to Sanole," Nadezda explained." Is he available?"

 "Why, yes he is, Nadezda, but why do you want to talk to him?"

Nadezda came through the door as she explained. Farren went off.

 "I'll get him," Farren said." I think I understand now."

 Nadezda waited and after a while, Sanole, an optimistic, goofy, 17 year old appeared.

 "Hiya, Nadezda," he said." How are you doing?"

 "Good, Sanole. And you?" Nadezda said politely.

 "Never better, thanks." Sanole paused." You wanted to see me?"

 "Well, yes," Nadezda said." For starters, do you like adventure?"

 "Is that even a question?" Sanole said.

 Nadezda went on to tell him everything that she had told Zanorm.

 "I'd love to go," Sanole said," But how would Mom manage?"

   Nadezda suddenly realized that Sanole was right. Sanole's mom would have to cope with the 4 year old twins, Jesse and Jessie, and the 8-year-old whirlwind, Daniel, while her husband was in the Navy of Galandria, and two of her oldest went off adventuring. If they did, the oldest child at home would be 10-year-old Kaitlynn, known to all as Katie.

  "Well, could you talk to your mom as soon as you can and get back to me, Sanole?"

  "I'll try." Sanole looked doubtful." I even have an idea that might work."

 "Ok. Bye, Sanole, and thanks for your time." Nadezda opened the door and stepped outside. "I hope to hear from you soon."

  "Bye, Nadezda. Hope we can go." Sanole waved and shut the door.

  Nadezda set off for Zaeleigh's house. He lived on a street not too far away, so it only took five minutes of brisk walking before she went to the front door and knocked. Zaeleigh opened the door. A smile spread across his face.

  "Come in, Nadezda. Do you need something?" he said.

  Nadezda stepped inside." I'll tell you." She told him everything that had happened since the party." I wanted to ask your dad to come, but he needs to stay to support the family. Do you think Jaremiah could come?"

 Jaremiah was Zaeleigh's only and oldest brother. He was a warrior, part of a group known as God's Warriors.

 "He is home, amazingly enough," Zaeleigh's said, grinning. "He came home sometime really early this morning, when I was still asleep. He might still be sleeping though. He's worn out. Do you need any breakfast? You look hungry."

  "Well, I only grabbed a little food as I went out the door," Nadezda said. "I think that would be a yes."

  They went to the kitchen. A mouthwatering smell was drifting about. Nadezda sniffed appreciatively.

  “Mm, is your mom making her famous biscuits, Zaeleigh?"

  "That's what it smells like." Zaeleigh grabbed a couple plates and handed one to Nadezda. "Better hurry. If Jaremiah smells these biscuits, he'll probably bound right down and get 'em all."

  They heard sounds of someone hurrying downstairs. Zaeleigh nudged Nadezda and grinned.

  "See what I mean?"

  They each grabbed two biscuits as Jaremiah came through the door.

  "Hi there, you two. Good morning to be alive, eh?" Jaremiah grabbed three biscuits, spread them with strawberry jam, and went out the back door. "I'll be here if anyone needs me."

  "We do," Nadezda whispered to her friend.

  They spread jam on their biscuits, grabbed some muffins, and went out.

  Jaremiah was on the three-person swing. He nodded politely at them. "Morning Zaeleigh , Nadezda. D'you need me?"

  "Yes." Zaleigh sat beside his brother.

  Nadezda sat on the porch and explained everything to Jaremiah, who furrowed his brow thoughtfully.

  "I don't know when I'll be called again," he said." I guess it would work out, though do not be surprised if you wake up some mornings, and find me gone. I usually am called near the last minute, if you know what I mean."

  Nadezda nodded understandingly. "That's OK. I just hope to have some others in the adult age group along with us."

  Jaremiah finished his quick breakfast." Well, I'd better get back to bed if I'm going. I need to get some more sleep. I just couldn't resist getting some of Mom's biscuits." He grinned and licked his lips." I hope this trip goes well, though it has to have some excitement for it to be fun."

  After Nadezda finished her food, she took her leave." See you soon, Zaleigh, maybe when we're going to leave on this adventure."

  Nadezda returned home.