A Fool's Errand Redux (for Clever Fox)

[Corkscrew]

Matthew Killenzaro sighed as the man that he was guiding ranted him at once again. He swore that if the pay wasn't so good, he would have left him out alone in the jungle to fend for himself. The only thing stopping him was the other half of the payment that was promised at the end of this trip, whether they found the fabled Fountain of Youth or not.* This is what happened when you ended up working for fools with more money then sense.

"Look Nicolas. These things take time. I told you when we started out that this would neither be quick or cheap. You wanted the best guide, and you are paying for that guide. I am the only living person that knows the actual location of the Fountain of Youth, thanks to my father, God rest his soul," Matthew crossed himself as he spoke of his father.

Matthew was in his mid 20's and he had been exploring the jungle since he was a small child first with his father and then by himself after his father's untimely death. He raised his malachite and pointed forward in the direction that they had been hacking through the jungle.

"My friend look closely.There is the path that I promised would be there. It was created by my father...may God protect his soul... when he guided a party of explorers here thirty years ago who were also looking for the Fountain of Youth. They ran short on supplies and had to turn back, but my father kept this path open and explored more, first on his own and then with me."

He trudged forward, cutting his way through the final bushes cutting him off from the path. "Your maps pinpoint the exact location of the Fountain of Youth, if one can read terrain like I can. Taking this path will lead us very close to it, then its just a matter of scaling a cliff to get up to a cave formation. In one of those caves lies your goal. I will lead you there and then back to town and then you can pay me the rest of my money as you promised."

And then he would be done with him. He was getting paid so much money he would be able to take only the guide jobs he wanted going forward. He would no longer have to work for rich assholes like this one. Granted, rich assholes payed the best and he had bills to pay. Major bills, his father had left him a good deal of land and many workers that depended on him.

Matthew brushed his dark brown hair away from his weathered forehead as sweat poured down his body. "But for now my friend I suggest we take a break and have some lunch. It will be a long climb and it won't be easy for someone... not used to climbing like I am. You may be a young man, but you haven't ever exerted yourself like you are about to." Matthew found a spot in the clearing and sat down, pulling out some food at drink, which he tossed to the man he was guiding.

"While we eat I would like to hear more about this legend that has brought you out here. Your files and maps seem to be more complete then any I have come across before."

[CleverFox]

It felt like they had been traipsing around in the jungle for far longer than had actually been the case. While Nicolas Vallier was not out of shape by any means, he had a trim and athletic build that made it clear that he did get out and about and wasn't just some lazy city boy, this was still more than he was accustomed to. And to top it off he was being bossed around by someone that he had hired to perform a service for him. Basically in his mind an employee was telling him what to do and that was just something that did not sit well with him the least little bit.

Blowing out a frustrated breath, and showing the fact that patience was not a virtue that he had been overly blessed with, Nicolas looked at his guide once again. "Calling me a friend is pushing it, we're business partners... and don't forget that you getting the rest of the promised payment is contingent upon me actually making it out of here alive," Nicolas stated, making it seem as if he thought that perhaps his guide's motives were less than honorable. Perhaps that was the case or perhaps he was just cranky because it was hot and he was being forced to exert himself and get all sweaty, it was impossible to say.

"As for the knowledge I have it was all gained from the notes and maps and such that I found when cleaning out the attic in the old family home," Nicolas stated. "My family has always liked to explore it seems and I guess somewhere along the lines they stumbled upon something that was actually useful... or has the potential to be." He paused here, his gray eyes focusing on Matthew. "So I would really like to get a move on... hurry up and find out if I actually have something worthwhile here."

The fact that Matthew was trying to go easy on him with this break was largely lost on Nicolas. He just wanted to get on with it already.

[Corkscrew]

Matthew smiled as his client snapped at him again. "It will be as you say my friend." At this point he was doing it to annoy Nicolas. What was he going to do? He couldn't make it back without him. He had to have his fun where he could.

"Of course I brought climbing gear, this isn't my first rodeo. I take people exploring for a living, I have every tool we could possibly need in my backpack and more besides that." Matthew believed in being prepared, which was the motto for an American group of children that would do a better job in the jungle than his current client.

Although, to be fair at least he could mostly keep up. He wasn't horrible in shape, he was just a shit about it with a horrible attitude.

After they finished lunch they resumed the trip and Matthew quickly guided Nicolas down the path and then leaving the path about halfway through he hacked his way through the jungle to the giant cliff facing. Carved all over the cliff were runes, in a language that Matthew could read, having learned it from his father. Massive caves dotted the top of the cliff. The guide smirked as he decided to have a little fun with his client.

"These aren't natural cliffs, no these are man made and legend has it that if someone could crack the code of these runes they could find the stairs that lead straight the fabled Fountain of Youth. Only a small handful of people in the entire world speak and read that language. My father was one of them but he isn't here anymore."

Seeing the look on Nicolas face he went on after a few long moments to savor the look. "Lucky for you I also can translate the runes."

In fact the cliffs were natural, and the runes carved into the facing did leave directions along with a series of warnings to turn back before it was too late. The story went that one with an impure soul that drank from the waters of the Fountain of Youth, got their wish for youth, but not in the way they expected. Nothing else was said other then those of evil intent got not what they wanted but what they needed.

Nicolas might not be evil, although he could be. He was very closed mouth about the source of his money, but he wasn't seeking this out for the right reasons. If Matthew was sure of anything it was that part.

[CleverFox]

The fact that his guide was antagonizing him was something that Nicolas was very well aware of when Matthew continued to refer to him as friend despite the fact that he had quite pointedly stated that they were business partners. And even the partner aspect was greatly exaggerated as far as the dark haired man was concerned. In his mind Mathew was nothing more than a servant, someone that he had hired to provide a service for him in exchange for monetary gain. That was the extent of their relationship and Nicolas was quite intent upon keeping things that way. He didn't voice that out loud and instead just gave the man a patronizing smile as he listened to everything that the man had to say about just how prepared he was.

"Well then it's a good thing I have you around," Nicolas said, his voice just as patronizing as his expression had been before.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they were ready to continue on their way. Nicolas was at least able to keep up even if he wasn't quite as adept at this as was his guide. He was feeling quite pleased with himself and was starting to get that exciting feeling that someone got when they knew that they were close to achieving a goal.

He was going to find it, he could feel it.

Could practically taste the water from the Fountain of Youth.

The bit about the runes gained a very unamused look from the man, Nicolas frowning. "That was not funny," he said with a shake of his head before pressing on. As they drew closer to what he just knew was going to be their destination Nicolas decided that he was going to run ahead. Not a smart idea but the patience that Nicolas had been exhibiting had ran out at this point and he just wanted to reach his destination.

He wanted to do what others had only ever talked and dreamed and fantasized about.

[Corkscrew]

(this next part is so good I am copying it almost word for word from our first time with this RP. Feel free to add onto anything I wrote. I will back up if needed.)

Matthew stood looking at the runes, wondering him much he should reveal of what they said to the man that he was guiding. Ethically he should tell him everything, but he disliked this man. A lot. And wouldn't the world do better without one pomp-ass rich asshole in it? No! His rep was on the online, along with the rest of the sizable payment that was receiving for guiding Nicolas.

Walking over to the left side of the cliff he pointed up to the runes at the top. "As you might be able to tell"....Matthew doubted that Nicolas could make heads or tails of the runes, but it didn't hurt to be polite...."the runes read top to bottom starting on the left. Its amazing that they managed to carve them into the very cliff face. How many hours of labor do you think that took?"
Seeing Nicolas glare at him again he went on. "Anyhow the top runes read... Be ye welcome visitor. If thy heart is pure than thy shall receive a reward beyond thy's wildest dreams."

That pretty much eliminated his, not that he would listen to the warning that was the next grouping Matthew knew. "If thy has evil in thy heart then they should turn back now while thy still can." Again he paused looking at his client who waved for him to go on. Well he had tried anyway.

"Those who have made it this far have completed the first trial, the trial of the body. Next is the trail of the mind. Embedded within these runes is a riddle, solve the riddle and the path before you shall be reveled."

Matthew laughed out-loud as he read the riddle. "You find yourself in a strange place guarded by two guards.One of the guard always says the truth while other guard always lies.You don't know which guard is which.You can ask only one question to a guard of thy choosing. What is the question thou should ask?"

As Matthew spoke the riddle out loud they heard movement from the cliff. At the base of the cliff two doors had reveled themselves. Standing on either side of the two doors were two stone statures guards holding spears. Matthew gasped in amazement. This wasn't what he had expected at all. The legends spoke nothing of this.

When Nicolas tried to dash ahead and go through the doors, they slammed shut in in face. Try as he might he couldn't get through the doors.

"I think that means we have to solve the riddle," Matthew said when he finally caught up with his foolish client.

He turned his attention back to the riddle considering. At first he was stumped. Looking over at Nicolas was no help at all. But after a few minutes of silent consideration the answer hit him.

"I got it. The question to ask is quite simple. We have to ask one of the guards which door the other guard would pick. If we end up asking the one that tells the truth then he will tell us what door to avoid. If we end up asking the one that lies then he will lie and tell us the wrong door. Either way it the door they point to is the door we avoid." Matthew was quite pleased with himself. Having his client die before he could finish paying him wouldn't be good for his rep.

Matthew asked the question and the guard pointed to the door on the right. Without bothering to consult his client, a serious breach of how things were usually done in this line of work, Matthew opened the door on the left and stepped through. Nicolas had no choice but to follow him through. Inside the door was a stairway that appeared to be carved out of the very rocks the cliff was made out of. Not wanting to waste anymore time Matthew climbed the steps, torch out in front of him.

After many minutes of long climbing they finally reached another door, also craved with runes on it. Matthew studied them for a few minutes before speaking their meaning "Thou has passed the second of the trials, the trial of the mind. Now all that lays between thou and everything that thou desires is the third and final trial. The trial of the spirit. Thou that seeks the Fountain of legend must attempt this final test alone. Step through the doorway if thou is not afraid to confront thy self. Shall thou pass the fabled Fountain of Youth will appear in front of thou."

Matthew took a step back as he finished reading. "You just need to step through that door and confront yourself...whatever that means, then you will get everything you deserve." Matthew wasn't sure how Nicolas was going to pass the final test, but it wasn't his problem anymore. "I will be waiting for your return right out here. Should you find the Fountain remember the second part of our deal. You are to fill a water canteen up with that water for me to drink should I choose to do so later on."

[CleverFox]

The fact that there was a riddle to be solved really just did not sit well with Nicolas and neither did the fact that the door literally slammed in his face. This gained a steady stream of curses in English as well as a few other languages, including Latin. It seemed that he was a well educated asshole to say the least. His gray eyes shifted again to Matthew when the man stated that he had the answer to the riddle, that gaining a definite frown from Nicolas.

Not because the other had the answer, since that was the goal, but because Nicolas felt that he was being pompous about it.

"Well spit it out already," Nicolas said in an impatient, almost huffy tone of voice, crossing his arms over his chest and making it pretty clear that he expected his guide to guide him through this part as well. Just showing him the way was not going to be enough if he couldn't get there and Nathaniel had no intentions of paying the man one red cent if Matthew couldn't deliver on the deal that they had agreed upon and that was him getting to the Fountain of Youth.

"Be quick about it, it's bloody hot," Nicolas added with an air of impatience.

The logic that he offered when he seemed to figure it out was something that Nicolas just shrugged aside, not saying whether he agreed or disagreed but instead just watching to see what would happen next. He was starting to get sort of excited as Matthew lead the way through the door that had been chosen in response to the riddle and as he heard the words that were once again translated from the ancient runes he had to resist the urge to childishly bounce up and down.

His gray eyes went to Matthew when the younger man reminded him of the deal that had been struck when the two of them started this journey and he nodded his head tersely as he pulled a canteen up to show him. "I have not forgotten," he said in a sort of snide voice before turning and making his way through the final door. He wasn't sure what it was that he was facing but he was more than ready to find what he had been searching for and dreaming about since he had found those documents merely by chance while doing something that he hadn't wanted to do in the first place but since he was the last of the family he'd had no choice.

Striding through the door with purpose Nicolas was sort of surprised when it closed behind him but he just ignored that and continued forward, the corridor that he had entered so dark that he had to find his way by feel alone. Making his way along he finally emerged into a room that was somewhat lit and which held...a very unimpressive looking sight. Rather than an extravagant fountain, which was what he had been expecting, it seemed as though this was nothing more than a well. Growling and thinking that they had came all this way for nothing Nicolas stalked over to the well, using a bucket that was provided and drawing up some of the water since he was thirsty.

He filled the canteen first since he knew that they'd need water for the trip back but he was really not the least bit happy as he did this, the man grumbling to himself. Taking a long drink he figured that there was no point in filling the canteen since he was thinking that this wasn't what he had been searching for, Nicolas feeling as though he had been completely cheated. That thought was the last that he had as he felt his head starting to swim a bit, the man blacking out and falling to the ground. How long he remained in that state was impossible for him to discern but Nicolas did realize that he had a pounding headache when finally he awoke, the man raising a hand to rub at his temples and feeling fabric brushing against his head.

That sort of startled him but he tried not to pay attention to it as he rubbed his head, blinking a few times before standing shakily and trying to take a few steps back toward the tunnel that would lead him to where Matthew was waiting. He didn't make it even a step before tripping over something, Nicolas falling to the ground with a yelp, a yelp that got his attention as much as the fall itself. Looking down he realized that it was his pants that he had tripped over, that causing him to look at himself and then issue a shriek before scrambling to his feet and running back through the dark path, emerging from the door and looking thoroughly freaked out.

In place of the young man that had entered the room there was now an ebony haired, bright eyed, seven year old little boy, wearing only a shirt that was clearly huge on him and dragging the canteen behind him.

[Corkscrew]

Matthew was biding his time outside the door, wondering how much longer this would take since it had been over an hour since Nicolas had gone in when he heard a loud shrieking sound. Damn it to all hell, he had warned the man this might, that being said he couldn't just let him face whatever he was facing alone. Checking to make sure that his sword was strapped across his back in a way that would make it easy to grab he drew his Colt .32 and flung open the door only to have a small child run full speed right into him.

Matthew put his gun away quickly, not wanting to scare the child. He grabbed on to the child, lifting him up to prevent him from taking a tumble down the stairs, which at his size surely would be fatal. The door had shut behind them just as it had when Nicolas had entered it.

"Child please calm down. An older man went into that room have you seen him?"

He started to describe Nicolas to the child when it hit him that this child looked exactly like a child version of Nicolas.

His eyes widened as he kept his grip tight, not tight enough to hurt, but enough so the child couldn't break away as he looked him over closely. He was wearing Nicolas's shirt and dragging Nicolas's canteen behind him. The boy was wearing nothing else, not even underwear and as he continued to move the shirt slipped further and further down. In moments he would be naked as he stepped right out of the shirt.

Of course!...he must have failed the test, and the plenty wasn't death but regression to a younger age. He was being given a second chance, though the boy wouldn't see it that way. "Nicolas calm down, I know you are scared. But this happened because you weren't strong of spirit. You get a chance to do everything over now, and do it the right way this time."

The question now was what to do with the boy once he got him back to town. As far as Matthew knew Nicolas had no family who could take care of him. And even if he had, who would believe this and not think it was so some sort of scam?

Maybe...maybe this was a sign from God, as Mathew had always wanted family. Now God was handing him a son, a boy that had no where else to turn. And as Matthew thought it through more, he couldn't leave the boy behind anyway, it would be condemning him to death or worse. Plus Nicolas still knew all the codes to the banks that he drew upon. They could both live a lifestyle of comfort...though he planned to expose the boy to hard work.

"Don't worry Nick", Matt started using the shortened version of the boys name. "I will take care of you."

[CleverFox]

Calming down was the absolute last thing that Nicolas was currently able to do. The boy had no idea what had happened but what he did know was that he had gone from a grown man to a small child in a very short period of time. That was not something that should even be possible so the fact that Nicolas was currently dealing with such was a source of fear as well as agitation for the little boy. After issuing his screech he ran from the cavernous room in which the well had been located, the boy not really paying attention to where he was going.

As such he ended up running into his guide.

That was the only thing that stopped him, Nicolas squirming and cursing as he was picked up. He grabbed for the shirt that he was wearing as it started to slide from his small shoulders, the child successfully capturing it so that it didn't end up falling off. "Let go of me! This is not okay, we have to fix this!" Nicolas was screaming at this point and he realized this but as far as he was concerned the situation warranted it. His gray eyes turned to the man that was currently holding him, Nicolas shaking his head and successfully knocking several locks of his black hair in front of his eyes with the motion.

"I don't want a second chance!" the disgruntled man turned child declared heatedly. "I wanna be back the way I was! Fix it! Fix it now!"

These words were said in a very demanding tone of voice, Nicolas making it clear in no uncertain terms that he wanted Matthew to undo what had been done to him. He didn't take any time to stop and ponder whether or not this was even possible before making his demands, he simply made them and fully expected that Matthew would find a solution to the problem.

That was what he was paying the man for after all.

"...can take care of myself," Nicolas said with another shake of his head, the boy raising his hand and wiping at his face with the overly long sleeves of the shirt that he was still holding in place with his other hand.

[Corkscrew]

Matthew shook his head at the pleas to fix it. "I don't think that I can."

Matthew knew that Nick had been through a very life altering experience, but there was no time like right now to get across to the boy who exactly was in charge. He considered his contract complete as they had found their goal and so he had no qualms about his next action.

Grabbing Nick he stripped off his shirt which no longer fit anyway, leaving the boy totally naked standing in front of him. "You Nick are now a seven year old child, and the sooner you started adjusting to that fact the better you will be."

Letting Nick go, Matt started to tick off points on his fingers."One, you have no family, and no one besides me to take you in. Two, you need an adult to get anything done in the world, no one listens to children. Three, with my help you will still have access to your money and resources, so with that money we can live a life of comfort. Four, if you reject my help I will drop you off at a group home for kids with no parents and you can fend for yourself there. Its really up to you but I would take a moment to think it through. Think of it not as your life being over, but as a chance to start over and do all the things you wanted to do as a child, but never got to."

Matthew didn't know at first where they were going to find clothes for Nick but then it hit him. This place had provided everything else they had needed so far, so it wouldn't be insane to think their might be clothes to fit those that failed the test somewhere around. The logical place to have them would be in the room with the water.

Matthew figured he would be safe as long as he didn't try and drink the water himself. "Come on little buddy we need to go back in and get you clothes. I bet you missed the fact that there were there because you were so startled.

Sure enough when Matthew opened the door the tunnel was fully lit and in the next room were bundles of clothes along with backpacks full of items that a child would need to make it back through the jungle. It was good to know that this place wasn't intended to kill you even if you failed the test. Although, he had never heard of this outcome happening, so maybe no children made it back to tell their tale. Well, he would ensure that Nick made it back out.

He grabbed a bundle of clothes and tossed them to Nick. "Get dressed so we can get out of here. We have a lot to talk about."

Matthew knew he was being harsh with the boy, but here wasn't the place to comfort him. That would come once they got back into town.

[CleverFox]

Nicolas wasn't sure what to expect when Matthew suddenly grabbed him and he struggled against the hold, at least partially fearing that he was going to be struck, though he let out a startled and unhappy yelp as the shirt that he was wearing was pulled off. While that wasn't what he had been initially expecting he was not happy about it and did nothing to hide that fact. Actually he did everything in his power to let it be known that he wasn't pleased. "Hey, I need that!" he said, blushing a bright shade of red as he was left in his birthday suit in front of the man who felt the need to point out that he was a child now. "I got that!" he snapped unhappily, trying to cover himself and only partially listening to what his guide was saying to him.

At least that was the case up until the man threatened to leave him in a group home for orphans, that one serving to get Nicolas' attention full force, the boy's eyes widening as he choked out, "You wouldn't...I don't wanna..." He really just did not like that prospect and while he would have denied it hearing those words actually stung. Sticking his bottom lip out in a slight pout Nick gave Matthew a wounded look, the boy fidgeting and pretty much just trying to get his bearings together after the ordeal that he had gone through. It was all so shocking and he was having some trouble processing. As a result of that however he didn't protest as Matthew lead the way back through the door though he was clearly wary, looking around as though something might jump out and grab him at any moment.

The clothes were at least a welcome thing, the little guy grabbing them and quickly getting dressed though his hand eye coordination was not what it had been when he was an adult so it took him some time of fumbling with buttons and trying to wrestle his shoes on but he did finally manage to get dressed, his black hair disheveled and giving him a rather cute appearance. "I don't like this," he felt the need to point out, his gray eyes once again going to Matthew though he had to crane his head back to look up at the man now since he was so short. "Damn it...damn it...DAMN IT!" he screeched, once again venting his frustrations by swearing.

After doing that Nick plopped down on the ground, looking decidedly unhappy with the way that things had turned out but then who wouldn't be disgruntled to go into the cave as a young man and come back out as a small child. He was smaller than the average seven year old and that was another point of annoyance for the boy, Nicolas huffing as he sat on the ground, not sure what to do next.

The one thing that he wanted to do was get back to normal but Matthew had already made it pretty clear that such was not an option.