Chapter 3

Chapter 3 The kids spent the next couple of days exploring Nere. Sammi showed the kids a small park where parrots lived in the trees. He took them to a glassblowing factory, where they watched a man blow red molten glass into delicate animals. They stopped at a food stall and ate hot meat sandwiches and drank lemon-flavored drinks. Once or twice, Dink noticed the man he'd seen peeking out of his bedroom in the castle. Dink asked Sammi about the man, but Sammi just shrugged.

"He must be a friend of my father" was all Sammi would say. On the third day of their visit, the kids were relaxing on a small beach. They sat in the sand and took off their sandals. The sun, puffy clouds, and boats made a beautiful picture. Out in the harbor, the yellow yacht sat peacefully in the turquoise water. Every now and then, men wearing scuba gear would either jump off the boat or climb aboard. They carried mesh bags and wore long black flippers on their feet. The kids recognized Dr. Skor as he walked about on the deck. "Maybe they're looking at the fish," Josh suggested. "Dr. Skor told my father he's studying coral," Sammi said. "But there's a lot more coral outside the harbor," he said.

"His boat looks so cool. I wish we could go aboard," Ruth Rose said as she put her feet in the water. "My father will arrange it," Sammi said. Josh looked at him. "He can do that?" Sammi grinned. "He is the king, Josh." Just then Fin showed up with a few other servants, each carrying a large basket. A few minutes later, they had set up a table and loaded it with food. "Lunch is served!" Fin announced in Costran, and Sammi translated. The kids loaded up plates and sat in folding chairs. The servants handed them cold drinks and cloth napkins. "Oh my gosh, I just remembered!" Ruth Rose cried. "Today is your birthday, Sammi! Happy birthday!" Sammi blushed. "My parents are giving me a party tonight," he said. "Cool," Josh said. "Will there be a cake?" Before Sammi could answer, they heard a shrieking whistle. The noise was coming from town. "What is that?" Dink asked Sammi.

"It's an alarm!" Sammi said. He stood up and looked toward town. "It sounds like it's coming from the aquarium site." Fin leaned over and spoke urgently to Sammi in their language. "Fin says he thinks it's the bank!" Sammi said. "Come on!" The kids left their plates on their seats and raced toward the bank. Fin ran beside Sammi. When they reached the bank, the door opened and a man burst outside. "That's Mr. Lees Baz, the manager of the bank," Sammi said. He ran over to Mr. Baz, who began speaking in rapid Costran. His eyes were bulging and he waved his hands in the air as he spoke. Fin dug out a cell phone from inside his robe and dialed a number. People came out of nearby shops to see what was the matter. Sammi returned to the kids. His face was pale. "Mr. Baz said the bank vault has been broken into!" "Did they take anything?" Ruth Rose asked. Sammi gulped. "Yes, all my father's gold is gone!"