The Tree and the Tablet (The St. James Chronicles Book 1)

by Kathryn O'Brien

  He coughed, “I’m thinking it’s some kind of trap, but not sure where we landed.” My eardrums ran with the sounds of him unzipping and re-zipping various pockets on his backpack. “Are you okay?” he asked. His voice sounded strange, almost like he was talking through a straw. There was a strange wheezing sound that punctuated each word.

  Grimacing in pain at the various sounds coming my way from his non-stop movements, which had the effect of feeling like little hammers hitting me in the head, I replied as calmly as I could and tried to sound as unfazed by our current dilemma as possible, “I hit my head on something and can’t open my right eye.” A clicking sound was followed by a small and insignificant light bouncing off my one good eye which caused me to flinch.

  “Oh, Sorry. I found a smaller flashlight in my pack.” Came the reassuring and strong voice - followed by a wheeze. “Hold on.” Sensing the distance close between us, he soon had a wet compress pressed to my eye. Such a gentle touch from such a strong man. As he finished his ablutions to my eye, he asked, “Can you try to open your eye for me?” The wheezing sound continued.

  “What’s wrong with your voice?” I asked, a little crossly as the sound of my own voice was just as irritating to me.

  “Nothing, I think I broke a rib.” At my gasp, he added, “No big deal, I’ll be fine.” He tried to reassure me, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that he wasn’t being entirely honest with me.

  Fine, two can play that game. Gingerly testing the eye, I could open it with minimal tension and finally was able to see to the extent of the limited range afforded by the tiny light in his hand. Somewhat relaxing now, I reported, “Thank you. I think it’ll be okay.”

  He sighed with relief and stated matter-of-factly, “The gash on your forehead is very small, no-stitches-kinda small, but it bled a lot and I was able to clear most of the excess.” As he turned away from me to put away the rag he used, I looked around. Not really seeing anything, I returned my attention to Daniel.

  “Where do you think we are?” Trying to hide my fear, I silently hoped my inquiry didn’t come out as shaky and frightened as I really was.

  Shining the light around, he turned toward me and handed me the water flask, “Not sure, but we should probably look around to see if we can find a way out.” Getting to his feet, he reached down his hand to help me up.

  As I got to my feet, I swayed slightly prompting him to steady me. “Are you feeling dizzy?”

  I couldn’t explain what I’d felt, but it sure wasn’t dizzy. It was like someone put a needle and thread right through my stomach and yanked it, pulling me in a sideways direction. Taking a breath, I replied as calmly as I could, “No, just thrown off by the darkness.” He held me close for a moment. Wondering if he sensed it, I acknowledged I really needed that just then. If he knew, he didn’t let on.

  “Shall we?” He asked as he removed himself from my arms and grasped my hand.

  The light was insignificant in the bleak darkness of the cave. We soon came to a wall. Standing there, I could feel a soft and gentle breeze coming from my right and on instinct, we headed in the direction of the air flow. There was the distinct impression we were slightly working our way at an upward angle. My heart was racing as I felt a sense of familiarity. Suddenly, my eyes clouded over which caused me to gasp loudly. Daniel stopped and asked, “What’s wrong?”

  Not being able to explain it, I stammered, “I don’t know…” How was I supposed to tell him I couldn't see. After all, we were in a dark cave. As suddenly as my vision had clouded over, it was replaced with a sort of greenish-gray vision that illuminated every nook and cranny of the room in a soft glow. Softly, I whispered, “It’s okay, Daniel.” Looking at him, his eyes looked white and his breath was like little puffs of clouds extending out in front of his face. It was sort of like putting night vision glasses on and I sighed. It was amazing. Sensing the presence of an unseen force, I reached out with my mind.

  “Duck? Is that you?” A deep rumble sounded directly in front of us.

  “Hello, Child.” He said aloud. His voice sounded deep and excited. “It is very nice to see you here.” As his breath wrapped its warmth around us, I couldn’t help but feel at ease. It turns out the air flow we were following was Duck’s breath.

  Daniel tensed up next to me at the sound of Duck’s rumbling voice. Placing my hand on his arm and again, I tried to reassure him. “It’s alright, Daniel. This is Duck. He’s a friend.”

  Daniel turned to me and asked, “What is that noise? And what is a duck doing in here?” He was moving the flashlight around rapidly but from what I could see and sense, he couldn’t quite figure out what was happening.

  Grasping his hand in mine, I laughed and said, “Calm down.” As he stopped his frantic search through the deep blackness of the cave, I enlightened him as best I could, “Duck’s a dragon.”

  Daniel snorted, “Now who’s losing it?” Looking around again, he said skeptically, “I hear air, I feel warmth, but I see nothing.”

  Duck decided to help illuminate the situation and, taking in a deep breath, his belly turned into a bright red spot that resembled embers in a fire. He released his breath very slowly and deliberately, which caused the glowing red color to move from his belly up his long neck toward his mouth. He opened up his mouth and flames shot out above our heads. Right before the release of the fire, the radiance was so intense that I could make out his facial features in the soft light and the large cat-like eyes that watched Daniel warily.

  Daniel jumped back grabbing me and throwing me behind him. “Whoa!” He yelled as he tried to defend me with his miniature flashlight. Duck shook his large head and I laughed hysterically at the sight of this big man trying to stave off a flame breathing dragon with a flashlight the size of a pencil. The dragon looked confused by what he was seeing and hoping to stop a huge misunderstanding which would surely end in harm befalling either of these two proud creatures, I forced myself to sober up and speak rather quickly, “Daniel, stop! He won’t hurt us. He’s a friend!”

  Being able to see better in the dark, I swiftly maneuvered my way around Daniel and placed myself in front of Duck as a shield. Something about me standing guard in front of a large dragon who was easily two feet taller than me at the shoulders must have penetrated his panic as Daniel was finally able to hear my words. Taking a breath while looking down at me, he asked, “But...how do you know this creature?”

  “It’s a long story,” I replied with a sigh. Well, there’s no escaping it now. The cat, or dragon, is out of the proverbial bag. The jig was up, and I knew I now needed to tell him everything. Well, maybe not everything. Daniel started to talk, but placing a finger across his lips, I looked up into his eyes and reassured him, “I’ll tell you what you want to know, but you have to promise to listen patiently and not interrupt. Okay?” He looked past me into the darkness and then back down to me. He nodded his acquiescence to my demands. “But first…,” my thoughts shifted direction as I turned to the dragon.

  “Duck, can you help us get out of this cave?”

  “Oh, no.” He replied shakily. “I’m so sorry, daughter of Valor, but the only way out is to find the tablet of power, speak the words of making, and sing the sister’s song.”

  Totally defeated, I stopped to think for a minute. “Duck? Can you tell me how to get to Kelsey and Peanut?”

  “Yes.” He replied firmly. My heart soared. However, he paused.

  Suddenly concerned, and slightly alarmed, I asked in a gentle voice, “Duck, what aren’t you saying?” He bobbed his head back and forth, then dropped it low. His actions reminded me of a child dancing from one foot to the other in an effort to decide what he should do. “Duck, out with it!” The words came out as more of a command than a request.

  “You have to get us out of this cavern to get to your Kelsey.” Sensing he had more to say, I waited patiently and tapped my foot on the hard stone floor. To Daniel’s credit, he sat patiently off to the side, wheezing steadily. Shaking my head, �
�And?” The question was meant to prompt him to share more.

  The words spilled out of him like water from a pitcher, “You have to get the tablet so that you can release us from this cave.” My eyes flew open in comprehension.

  “You mean we’re trapped here until I figure out how to retrieve the tablet from some unknown hiding place?”

  He nodded in confirmation. As my breathing increased with anxiety and my mind whirled, How am I going to get to Kelsey? I can’t find the tablet. What am I going to do? The questions kept repeating in my mind and I became more and more agitated with every thought. In no time, I was beginning to hyperventilate. Daniel must’ve been concerned because he started to rise from his resting spot on the floor of the cave. Absently, I put out my hand, but realizing he couldn’t see it, I firmly placed it on his shoulder to keep him put. Staring at Duck in a very not pleased sort of way, I took a few calming breaths and asked, “Duck? Do you know where the tablet is?” He watched me pensively waiting for me to finish speaking.

  Nodding his head vigorously, he replied excitedly, “Yes, mistress!” Now he was impatiently jumping from one front foot to the other and doing a sort of jig. If there was room, he probably would’ve spun in circles. His nostrils flared, and a puff of fire shot out from his mouth as he belched loudly.

  Waving my hand in the air at the foul odor of brimstone, which smelled a lot like burnt rubber, “Calm down, Duck.”

  “Oh, mistress, I’m so sorry. I just got too excited.” He looked down dejectedly.

  “It’s quite alright, Duck.” He perked up. “But where’s the tablet?”

  “But you must know, daughter of Valor.” At my questioning look, he added, “It is behind the veil of the weeping maiden’s tears.”

  “Well, then,” I said, totally flabbergasted, “lead the way.” Extending my arm outward, Duck looked at me with a total lack of comprehension as to what he should do next.

  “But you must know, it is for you to find your way to the land of Valor and the hidden Glenn of the Sacred Tree of Life. Then, you must sing the sister’s song to find the tablet.” He sat his rump on the floor and looking over at Daniel asked, “Mistress?” Concern tinged his voice as he asked, “Is he alright?”

  My mind was still reeling with the comprehension that the only way out of this confounded cave was to sing a song I didn’t know and find a veil of some sort in the dark. Realizing that Duck had asked me a question, I turned to him, slightly flustered and asked impatiently, “What are you talking about?”

  He was frantically motioning toward Daniel with his front foot; one clawed toe pointing straight at him. “Your friend seems to be having a problem.”

  Turning toward Daniel, I could see that he had slumped forward and there was no more wheezing. My heart leapt into my throat. Kneeling to get closer to him, I could hear that there was a very small sound coming from him and the breath was very minimal. “Daniel. Daniel?” Grasping his shoulders, I gently shook him. There was no response other than the silence caused by the air flow completely stopping. Oh. My. God. “Nooooooooo!” The agonized scream tore from my lips.

  As he fell to his side on the floor, his jacket fell open to reveal that he had a knife embedded in him. Instantly, my mind recalled all of the steps to performing CPR, and laying him on his back, I listened to him, felt that there was no air and his heartbeat was so faint I couldn’t tell if it was still beating. I began compressions. Frantically, I listened and then puffed two breaths. Listening again and feeling for a pulse, nothing. Compressions, breath, breath, listen. Still nothing. Unshed tears stung my eyes, but I refused to give up. As I was about to begin compressions again, Duck stepped forward and placed his giant foot upon Daniel’s chest, a glowing ember began to burn under Duck’s foot. The glowing grew to a fire and afraid that Duck was sealing the deal, I cried out and tried to pull Duck’s foot from Daniel’s chest. “Duck. You’re killing him.”

  It was useless. Duck’s foot was huge and heavy as he was made from stone. “No...wait.” It was as if the fire was pushing the blade out of Daniel and I could see it slowly moving outward until it dropped to the floor beside him. Duck then leaned over and breathed a puff of smoke into Daniel. The fire within him grew and glowed and then raced out through his throat and the open wound then out into the room. Duck moved his large foot from Daniel’s chest. I started crying. He was so still. My heart hurt so bad. How much more could I lose? Placing my face in my hands, I started to cry in earnest.

  “Are those tears for me?” The sweet sound of Daniel’s voice broke through my agony and turning toward him, I could see that he was smiling at me.

  Throwing myself on him, “Jerk! Don’t ever do that to me again!” I admonished as I laid on him and listened to the sound of his heart beating stronger by the second.

  His arm wrapped around me. “Easy love.” He said quietly as he placed his hand where the blade had been. “I don’t know what just happened, but my chest is on fire.” Leaning away from him and wiping at my tears, I turned to Duck.

  “Duck saved you.” Turning back to Daniel, I admonished, “You should’ve told me what was going on instead of allowing yourself to suffer.”

  “There was nothing else to be done.” He said calmly.

  “Still.” I said, at a loss for words. Turning to the stone dragon, I said, “I’m sorry for doubting you, Duck. Thank you for what you did,” and I reached out to gently caress his big snout.

  He shivered which sounded like rocks falling and said, “It is my pleasure to bring such joy to a daughter of Valor.”

  Gracing him with a broad grin and turning to Daniel, I could see he was still struggling. After rummaging through the pack and giving Daniel some water, he laid back again.

  Duck spoke up and said, “I will warm you and he will rest.” Agreeing with him, I set up a pack as a pillow and pulling out an extra jacket, I laid it on Daniel as a blanket. When he tried to get up, it didn’t take much effort to push him back down. Brushing my lips across his, I pleaded with him, “Please rest for a bit.” He started to protest but I insisted, “I’m not going anywhere and I feel like Kelsey is safe enough.” At his doubtful look, I begged, “Please?”

  His response was a solemn, “Alright, but not too long,” as he closed his eyes and soon was breathing evenly. Funny how I noticed that the wheezing sound was gone.

  Turning toward Duck who was gently breathing warmth into the cave, he glanced in my direction and queried, “Now, Mistress, shall we have a look into your mind to see if we can discover what you have lost?” Funny that he used the same words as the beautiful angel in my dream. Nodding, I sat in front of Duck and closing my eyes, I began to breath.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Now that Daniel was resting peacefully, I sat on the cold floor of the cave, focusing on my breathing. Within the swirling vortex of my mind’s eye, I searched through the mists to find what I wasn’t sure of. There was no way for me to know what I sought, but I kept thinking back to the night before, when I’d had the conversation with the beautiful creature in my dream and focused on her.

  Soon, I was standing in a field of purple flowers of every shade, surrounded by what looked like pink dogwood trees. Looking to the sky, there were deep purple clouds and two suns on the horizon. From my right, I saw movement. A blurred vision of two figures was moving toward me. Forcing myself to focus more, I could make out that the outlines were the beautiful woman from my dream, only her hair was a deep black and pinned up on top of her head as opposed to the long flowing white it had been, and walking beside her was Andrea. They were walking hand in hand. It seemed that they had just finished laughing at some secret joke.

  Not sure why, but I was angry. How could they just be laughing and joking around, when I was trying to find Kelsey and rescue her from a crazy person? As they approached, I was growing more and more agitated and I was slightly alarmed by the intensity of feelings I’d never felt before.

  Suddenly, Duck appeared at my side and speaking in a harsh tone,
he hissed through clenched teeth, “Stop! You, evil being.”

  Gasping, I looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. His posture was that of a large dog trying to protect its master. His back was arched, and his eyes were focused on the woman standing next to my sister.

  The beautiful goddess halted in her tracks and turning rapidly toward the dragon, she grasped Andrea, using her as a shield against Duck. She hissed between her teeth at me while still glancing back and forth between Duck and me. “You vile thing. You shouldn’t have brought the dragon.” Her form started to shimmer and shake, and a terrible thundering sound surrounded us.

  Duck yelled out while attempting to encircle me with his great body. “Get back!”

  Andrea seemed confused by what was happening. It was almost as if she were waking up from a dream to be faced with a nightmare. Seeing the fear in her eyes, I tried to go to her, my arm stretched in her direction. Duck blocked my effort and warned me, “No! She’ll be safe.”

  Peering under his great form, I could see that the enchanting creature was transforming into a great black winged monster that looked like a raven. It screeched at us with its obnoxious voice, “I see my son has his hands full with you, but I’ll deal with him later.”

  Duck released a stream of fire aimed at the head of the great bird. As it dodged to the side, it lost its grip on Andrea. Seeing my opportunity, I rushed forward. Grasping Andrea by the arm, I yanked her sideways away from the raven. It screeched and took flight. Duck had converted from a dragon of stone to the most beautifully colored creature. His scales glowed iridescent, fluctuating between teal, purple and pink just like the gossamer cloth above my bed. Like a rocket, he shot into the air and took flight after the large raven who appeared to be similar in size to him.

  The battle between them raged on for what seemed like an eternity, but was in reality, only minutes. They swerved and rocketed through the clouds. The raven would stop in mid flight and shoot what looked to be lightning bolts from its eyes at Duck, and he would counter with a rain of fire upon the beast. Appearing as if it was losing the battle, the raven suddenly, in a snap of my fingers, vanished into thin air with a loud whoosh and a plopping sound. Duck made his way back to where I stood in the circle of trees with Andrea.