Page 61 of Of Potions and Honey
They dashed after the dog, who by this point was almost out of sight. Still, she kept stopping, waiting for them to catch up before she darted away again.
“Does she know we all only have two legs?” Mira grumbled. Yoni gave her a sidelong look.
“I thought you built up some stamina since you moved here.”
“To walk around town, not run after a tireless goblin.”
“Hey, the goblin has feelings!” Kayden piped up.
“I thought she doesn’t speak human?”
“I’m not taking any chances.”
It took them less than Mira’s estimate of five minutes to reach the glade where the spring sat in the midday sun. And at the edge sat Poppy, tongue out, looking immensely proud of herself.
“Did you find it?”
“Woof!”
Poppy pranced along the edge of the pool, sticking her head as far down as she could without sliding in. She didn’t manage to reach the surface, which was concerning in and of itself, but the gesture was clear.
She had, indeed,foundit. Tracked the smell of the bottled water straight to the Sweetwater Spring and its unique water that made the whole region, forests and farms and everything, what it was. If Mira’d had any doubt left, it would be gone now. Whatever was in that bottle was also in the spring, and there was only one way that could have happened.
They stood behind Poppy, Yoni and Mira staring into the low water while Kayden showered Poppy with praise and fed her some jerky from his pocket for good measure.
“So I guess you were right, then.” Yoni sounded defeated. “It’s the same stuff. They really are pumping our water and selling it.”
“I’d say I wish I wasn’t,”Mira said. “Then again, at least now we know?”
“Probably.” Kayden got to his feet, looking pensive. “I’m not claiming that Poppy hasperfectaccuracy, but the evidence is pretty damning. Especially with how bold they are with the label.”
Yoni snorted. “Bold, but it still looks like someone drew that up during their lunch break. That doesnotlook like a honeycomb at all.”
“Doesn’t matter, does it.” Mira sat down on a rock. “So they’re stealing the water, but all we have to prove it is a dog. A very good dog,” she hastily added, and made sure to give Poppy an appreciative pat on the head. “Who has a very good nose. But still a dog, who I don’t think is qualified to make any sort of official statement on the matter. So where do we go from here?”
The other two sat down as well, flanking her. Kayden picked up a rock and tossed it into the water.
“I suppose we’ll have to figure out how to convince someone with authority to look into this?” He glanced at Mira. “You said you already spoke with the mayor?”
“I have,” Mira said, dispirited. “He wouldn’t hear a word I was saying, just said that everything was fine, and we’re just having a drought.”
“Drought my behind!” Yoni snapped. “Look at this! That doesn’t look like a drought to anyone with at least one working eyeball!”
“Of course not, but that’s what he insisted was happening.”
Yoni wrapped her arms round her knees. “So we’re going to have to prove it. Which would involve some sort of science, I assume, as opposed to letting a dog sniff out whetherthiswater is the same asthatwater.”
Both she and Kayden looked at Mira, who realised with a start why. “Wait, me? I’m not doing science, I make spicy drinks in a pot!”
“That is a form of science,” Yoni pointed out.
“Not that kind. Besides, didn’t you say you had some books to consult?”
“I did,” Yoni admitted glumly, “but they didn’t have what we need. I wouldn’t know how to test water for its source.”
“Let’s just dye the water,” Kayden suggested sarcastically. “Nobody can say they have no clue where the water’s from when it’s purple.”
“Oh, please.” Yoni scoffed. “Even if that somehow worked without compromising the water, you don’t really think they wouldn’t notice, do you.”
