Stone of Hope

Chapter 5

Pacing back and forth, I finally hear Paul jogging down the steps to our bedroom quarters. I meet him halfway and blurt, “Paul, how is she?”

“Relax. They took to her well, and she did fine with them. We are supposed to meet them at The Roots.”

We start heading that way and descend a spiral staircase that leads underground to The Roots, which is a cavernous room filled with the actual roots of a tree upon which the castle was built.

“What could they possibly want?” I ask.

“Well, whatever it is, they want you to be there. Let’s just get this over with.” He places a comforting hand on my shoulder and gives it a tight squeeze.

I follow Paul silently as we trek to our destination. I can’t tell them I’ve aborted the mission, though I wonder how much Jewel may have inadvertently told them. During my interrogation, I was very careful to not give anything away to Timber. I lied, telling him I didn’t find the stone, and instead distracted him with stories of Jewel’s dad and Jewel.

We finally make it to The Roots to find King Forrest already sitting at the large, wooden rectangle table. He gestures for me to sit on his right. I notice there are five soldiers sitting behind the wooden seat I’m supposed to occupy, in chairs lining the rounded stone wall. The King’s facial expression is unreadable. I do my best to smooth my face of any emotions and steady my heartbeat, then take a step forward.

“Ash, close the door,” King Forrest commands. The cooling temperature in here matches his tone.

I nod my head respectfully and take a bow. Straightening, I hear footsteps descending the stairs. I turn around slightly, not surprised to see Timber when the door opens, a faint click echoing in the quiet space when he shuts it. I make another bow to Timber before taking the seat to the right of King Forrest. Timber sits to his father’s left, and Paul slides over so that he’s standing in front of the door.

I inwardly counsel myself not to speak unless spoken to. I must know what he suspects, without giving him any further information than what is necessary. I watch his face, which unfortunately gives nothing away.

He folds his hands and places them on the table. Leaning in, he looks at me expectantly. “Timber filled me in, but I need you to go back to her house and see if her dad will come here, now that we have his daughter.” His voice is hopeful, his eyes sparkling.

My eyebrows crease and I jerk my head back in surprise. I try to keep the anger from my voice, but my words come out in a rush. “What do you mean, have his daughter?” My stomach is suddenly queasy with the wild thoughts running through my mind.

“Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it?” the King crows. He leans back, never taking his eyes off mine. “You and another Seeker just happen to be in the same area at the same time?” I feel Timber’s eyes on me and I sneak a glance at him, confirming my suspicion. “He’s been living on Earth this whole time with his daughter. Why?” The King is intrigued, and I can tell he’s just getting started. “Knowing that King Gus is a cruel and violent man, how does her dad get to leave the Darkland while no one else can? Something’s not right with this scenario.” He leans forward, banging his hand on the table with a thump that reverberates throughout The Roots.

I try to compose myself at the thought of them using Jewel as bait. Clenching my fists under the table, I try to make my voice light. “What do you want with him, anyway?”

“He is the Darkland Seeker. I want to know what he knows, and I want the stone if he has it.” He turns his head towards Paul. “You and your men will follow Ash until he reaches a portal safely.” Turning to the men, he adds, “This conversation remains in this room,” he commands menacingly. “We can’t afford to put our kingdom in danger.” As the men nod, his attention is riveted back to me. “You are to check in immediately if you see or hear anything of importance.” He flicks his hand, a gesture I know all too well. This conversation is over. You are dismissed.

I stand and bow, observing the formalities. Heading towards Paul, I hear the men start to rise from their chairs. Paul opens the door when I reach it.

In a chilling tone, the King whispers, “Ash… I will be waiting.” I turn around, piercing him with my eyes. With one last bow, I turn and exit, hearing footsteps following closely behind me. Desperation to get to Jewel claws at my insides, fueling my steps.

Taking the stairs at a steady pace, I don’t glance behind me until we are off the castle grounds. I stop only when Paul’s hand clasps my shoulder. His look is apologetic. He knows I want to stay here and watch over Jewel. With a loud sigh, I start walking again.

“Make a U around us, covering our backs and sides,” Paul calls out to his men before stepping in line with me. We are silent as I peer around, looking for a blue halo portal. I’m the only one in the assembled group who can find one; I was Gifted with Portal Sight once I was declared the best Seeker in the North Kingdom.

Although I’m grateful to have been bestowed with such Gifts, I wish I could stay with Jewel. I understand the King’s fascination with the Darkland more than most. The craziness that surrounds the stories of that kingdom would intrigue anyone, but I knew King Gus never sent his army to search for the stone. I remember the first time I asked John how he was able to leave.

Jewel thought I was out of town, so she was staying the night with a friend. Her father and I were in the basement lab and I was helping John clean. The blood he brought back from the Pixie Realm did not fare well with his latest theory. He was constantly trying to find a cure. Sweeping up the glass, I finally got the courage to ask, “Why does King Gus let you out?”

He stopped in his tracks and paused a long moment before answering. “Long ago, I struck a deal.” He went back to methodically wiping the wall.

“What kind of deal?” I pushed.

“One that doesn’t concern you.” His voice was colder than I’d ever heard it.

Changing tactics, I ventured to ask, “What’s it like? The Darkland?”

“Just like the stories,” he whispered.

He gave nothing away. “All the stories?” I asked.

“Ash, I respect you enough not to lie to you, so trust me when I say you don’t want to know what lies beyond the black bordering trees. I don’t ever want Jewel to see the darkness that lives there.” I opened my mouth to refute it, but he held up his hand to stop me. “I can’t tell you anything else without putting you and Jewel in further danger.”

Stepping out of my reverie, I pause at the edge of a blue glow that denotes the portal I need. “Paul?” He steps forward. “Promise me you’ll keep her safe,” I whisper so the other guards can’t hear me. “You have no idea what she means to me.”

“I promise,” he whispers back, his face determined. Facing his men, he commands, “The portal is here. Make a circle and check the perimeter two hundred feet out, to clear the surrounding area.” My eyebrows scrunch in confusion at his instructions until it dawns on me. He’s giving us a moment in private.

I wait until he faces me. Still keeping my voice low, I confide, “There are things you need to know. The day Jewel crossed, her father had sent me to investigate a house near theirs. It’s the house where I first heard the horn sound that I inquired about. I followed the owner to a local store, and when I caught up with him, I sensed the magic within, although I couldn’t place what he is or where he’s from.”

“Didn’t you ask?” Paul queried, as if it was the simplest thing in the world to interrogate a human in broad daylight, in a public place.

“Jewel spotted me in the middle of my interrogation, then somehow managed to find the portal I escaped through. Paul, I need to find out what he is, and then try to find Jewel’s dad and let him know what’s going on.” He nods his head in understanding. “Her father comes home sporadically, and I don’t know how long this will take.” I take a deep breath and release a sigh, knowing I have to tell Paul the rest of it. I lean forward and give him a tight embrace. He embraces me as well. I whisper in his ear, “I’ve been watching her for four years.” I hear a small, audible gasp. When Paul releases his embrace, my hands fall at my sides and I take a step back, looking at the ground.

He grabs my shoulder, compelling me to face him. Finding his eyes, I see he wears a genuine smile. “Ash, I will keep her safe for you, as I see that she matters to you as much as my Norell matters to me.” Moved by his declaration, I remain silent when I hear his men coming closer. “Take as much time as you need. The King wants you to succeed, and as you know, since Jewel is a female, no harm will come to her.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I mutter. Paul’s eyes scrunch in confusion. I edge closer to the portal and take one last look back, not eager to elaborate as my foot crosses the halo of blue light. Paul’s eyebrows are still scrunched and his frown is visible. There are so many things he has yet to learn, too many secrets I still guard. Taking a deep breath, I exhale as I face forward and think of where I want to go. Jewel’s home. The white house with the porch swing I now call home.

It works immediately, and I arrive right outside the lake where Jewel and I used to swim. My shoulders rise and fall with each breath. It figures that I’d be sent back to the Earth Realm when I know John won’t be here. After being questioned by Timber about my relationship with Jewel, I made it a point to say we were just friends, that I was only playing nice to get closer to John. Stopping at the sight of her house, my body becomes rigid as I focus on the surrounding auras, intuitively sensing something is off. I crouch down behind the tree line, instantly noting her sculptures are missing from the yard. I listen for a moment, but don’t hear anything.

Years ago, John and I worked out a system to alert each other of danger. I make my way to the back of the house, noticing the crystal tear drop missing from the window. He’s been here. I run quickly to the shed, hopeful he left me a note in our hiding place. I search among Jewel’s masks before I spot it in the antique welding mask. Lifting it up, I find the note and my breath stops short.

Darkness will take flightis written in jagged lettering.

He doesn’t know she’s in the Troll Realm. Hoping I’m not too late and he’s fine, I grab a pen from the shelf and scrawl a quick note back.

Under the Northern stars

There is only one darkness in our realm, and that’s King Gus. I discreetly go back to the house. My muscles are taut, ready to strike. I turn the doorknob and peer inside. At first glance, the house seems intact… until I round the corner and see the pictures of her mother that were hanging on the wall are missing. Still sensing no one is in the house, I make my way to Jewel’s bedroom. Sucking in my breath, I see that everything in her room has been removed. Heading down the hallway, I peek into every room but can’t find anything else out of place. The basement.

I rush to the basement, but to my surprise, the handle doesn’t turn. It’s still locked. I head to John’s room and place the tear drop crystal back on the windowsill to let him know I’ve been here. The note will tell him where to look. He knows which kingdom I’m from, and he has their vacation cabin where he can contact me since it provides a direct portal to the Northern Kingdom. I must talk to Calla and give her a heads up.

Why would King Gus want all her things? It appears they took everything that belonged to her, including the art she created. Running to get out of the house, I spot her old pair of running shoes. Grabbing the last remaining piece of her life here, I head back to my realm.