Realms of Fire

by Sharon K Gilbert

  As he neared the middle, he began to pray.

  Chapter Sixty-Four

  “Come in,” the woman told Henry, holding the blue wooden door open. “The girl’s right inside.”

  The viscount removed his hat as he entered the cool interior of the cottage. A fire burnt in a creek stone heart, and Salperton instantly recognised the room as the one from the Stone Realms. “Forgive me, ma’am. Might your name be Hope?”

  “Aye, sir, it is. Sit now. Take a load off. I’ll fetch the lass.”

  He took the chair near the fire, noticing a pan of Bannock bread cooling on a stool. He could smell cinnamon and honey, and all round were hearts, hearts and more hearts. Entwined together as though forming a family.

  “Here she is,” Hope told him.

  Henry stood again, turning round to find himself looking at the living image of the doll from the cavern. Instantly, he knew this was Elizabeth as a child.

  “Hello, there,” he said easily. “I’m Henry. You can call me Hal if you like.”

  “Are you here to take me home?” the girl asked.

  “I am indeed. It seems I’ve been destined to do so for a long time. You’re Elizabeth Stuart.”

  She nodded, moving close to the fire and sitting near the stone apron. “Yes.”

  “You’re the Marchioness Anjou. Do you know there are lots of people looking for you just now?”

  “Are there? I’m very sorry. I followed a woman into a tent near the maze, but then found myself in the woods, and it was snowing. How can that be? It’s May, isn’t it?”

  He sat beside her. “Yes, so it is. I wonder, Beth, can you tell me what else happened to you?”

  “That’s what Miss Hope asked, too,” she answered. “May I have some tea? I’m very cold.”

  Their hostess brought two cups of steaming tea, sweetened with honey, and left them on a table. “I’ll be outside, if you need me, sir.”

  She then left the alienist alone with the child.

  “You say you found snow?” he asked, handing her the smaller of the two cups.

  Elizabeth took a sip and then held the drink in her lap. “Yes, and the faeries were making it,” she said. “I think they were faeries. I once heard a story about them. My Cousin Paul told me. He’s not here now. He had to leave.”

  “Yes, so I heard,” Salperton answered, though he wasn’t sure what she meant. “You like your cousin, don’t you?”

  “Paul’s the most wonderful man in all the world. He’s at Oxford, you know. Merton College. He’s twenty years old, but he’s going to marry me someday. If my mother leaves him alone, that is.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “She kissed him. I saw it happen—not far from the maze. Paul didn’t like it, though. Are you and I related?”

  “Yes, actually. Your grandfather and I are second cousins, which makes me your cousin as well. Tell me about these faeries.”

  “They stood next to a great rock. One was very tall, the other short and round like a toad. The tall one was making something. He gave it to me, but I really don’t like it. It’s that awful dolly. Why would they have my dolly, Cousin Henry?”

  “Hal,” he reminded her. “You can call me Hal, if you like. My mother called me that.”

  “I like that. Hal. You’re very nice.”

  “And so are you,” he replied politely. “What dolly?”

  “The one that looks like me. The faeries were making a new one, but it looks just like the old one. They made me take it, and they laughed about it. The wolf laughed, too.”

  MacAlpin’s eyes narrowed with worry. “What wolf?”

  “There was a third faery, who was really a wolf. He turned into a sort of man just as I discovered them. I was very cold and had no coat, because it’s spring. The tall faery waved his hand, and the rock became a house, made from willow branches and stone. But the snow remained. Why would their house be surrounded by ice and snow?”

  “It is a puzzle, isn’t it? I’ve no idea, really. But this wolf laughed at you?”

  “Not at me, really. I think he was laughing about something else. The doll’s in the other room. The lady told me to take it with me, and that my father would need to see it. I’m afraid to go home, Hal. What if Father’s angry with me? I heard him shouting at Mother earlier.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be delighted to see you again. He’s looking everywhere for you, Beth. Shall we get this dolly and find our way back?”

  “Through the snow?” she asked hesitantly.

  “If we must, but you may wear my coat.”

  He placed his riding jacket round her small shoulders and then lifted her into his arms. “We’ll need to fetch that doll, too, won’t we?”

  They did so, and left the cottage. As he closed the door, Henry noticed the entwined hearts once more on the exterior: two large hearts surrounding seven smaller ones.

  “I wonder if Charles knows there are seven, not just two,” the viscount muttered.

  “Seven what?” asked Elizabeth.

  “Never mind. Let’s get you home.”

  Chapter Sixty-Five

  “Welcome to your future,” said the wolf as Charles entered the maze’s centre. Amblers navigating the labyrinth for a whim often gasped when they reached the pinnacle of their journey, for the middle of the massive green puzzle held a tall fountain, surrounded by a miniature of the maze made from boxwood.

  The wolf stood before the fountain.

  “Have you figured it out yet?” it asked him.

  “I think so. You’re the demon that killed my father.”

  “Demon?” the wolf echoed in disgust. “What an ugly word! I’m hardly a demon, Charles. Surely, you know that. We’ve spoken of it often enough.”

  “When have we spoken?” he asked the creature.

  “When you were a boy, we spoke of many things whilst in the Rose House maze. It’s a twin of this one and they’re connected—spiritually speaking, of course. One doorway leads to the other. You tripped through that doorway as a boy and ended up here, startling poor Connor Stuart. It was that accident that started him and your father thinking you might be the one, for only you are able to open the spiritual doors, you see. You used to visit me in one maze or the other, nearly every day; but only when your father wasn’t around. Your mother thought me your imaginary friend of all things! But I was very real indeed. I used the mirror to speak to you as a baby. Your blood needed to awaken, you see, and I tuned it to our voices. Only that annoying footman believed your stories. David Anderson kept watch on you. That’s why I had to scramble his mind, but Samael’s fixed all that now. What a troublesome fellow he is.”

  “What’s your name?” Charles asked, mentally whispering a prayer for courage and guidance.

  “I’ve been called many things. Sariel, Suriel, Surufel, Striga. Babel mixed up all the languages, causing over a hundred variations. Humans call me vampire, werewolf, trickster, skin-changer—I’ve even been called Loki by some. Which makes Raziel ‘Thor’, I suppose.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because, as Loki did with his brother, I’ve tricked mine. I lured Raziel to France with a promise he could conquer the prince who rules there, but instead Raza’s been taken prisoner and now awaits judgement in the Dragon Court. Trial by fire, you might say.”

  “What do you want?”

  Saraqael’s wolfish appearance transformed into his usual suit of flesh: tall, dark-haired, icy eyes.

  “There now. Much more civilised, don’t you think?”

  “I asked, what do you want?”

  “Nothing much. Merely to elevate you to a higher plane, Charles. Isn’t it time your true abilities were allowed full rein? But let’s spell that r-e-i-g-n, with a ‘g’, which also begins the word, ‘god’, doesn’t it? All we want is for you to fulfil your purpose. Claim your birthright.
Take the job, Charles. It isn’t so hard.”

  “What job?”

  “King of England, of course. Trust me, the people will rejoice when you’re crowned. It was foretold long ago. He who was dead, returned at last. Arthur reborn.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  “Then we kill Della,” Saraqael answered coldly. “I care nothing for the girl, but you love her, don’t you? Just as if she were your very own daughter. I can gobble her up in three bites, if I want, and you cannot stop me. No one can. Or better yet, I could send my friend to do it. You’ve met him, too. A mirror stood betwixt you then, and you saw—how is it that meddling St. Paul describes it?—through a glass darkly? But now, you can see him, face to face, Charles. Would you like to see my friend face to face, in all his fiery glory?”

  Charles shut his eyes, trying to remember Georgianna’s message: Tell Father not to fear the Dragon. Tell him Della will be all right.

  “Not particularly,” he answered in as casual a voice as he could muster.

  You’re never alone, Charles, Romanov’s voice whispered. Never alone. We are ever at your side.

  “Do you really think you’ll get way with any of this?” he asked the fallen elohim. “Are you so full of foolish pride that you think the One isn’t watching?”

  Charles heard the cry of an eagle, and he looked up, seeing a great bird circling high above.

  “The One sees only what he wants to see,” declared Saraqael. “If you think he’s sending help, think again. Samael’s in France, losing a battle against our battalions there. No one is coming to rescue you.”

  “I am never alone,” Charles proclaimed. “Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for HE is with me.”

  Sara laughed. “Oh, really? He isn’t coming. But we could stand beside you. We can raise you up to the highest throne in all history, and soon you’d wonder why you resisted us for so long. Your true father is beautiful beyond all imagination, and his voice shakes the earth! Allow me to introduce you to him, Charles. He is my friend and follower—the Nachash of the Stone Realms, the terror of humanity, the great and wondrous Stone Dragon!”

  The fountain disappeared, replaced by a telescoping tunnel of darkness. Through its chaotic lens, Charles could see thousands of eyes, staring at him. Swirling winds tore through the opening, and he heard the creature’s wings. Then the eyes merged into one pair of crimson orbs, growing larger and larger and larger.

  The Dragon was flying straight towards him.

  Chapter Sixty-Six

  “Shall I take the doll to my father?” Elizabeth asked her rescuer.

  “Yes, I think that must be how it ended up in the cavern,” the viscount muttered to himself.

  “What cavern?” she asked innocently.

  “Never mind. But someone very much like you told me to make sure you take it.”

  “The wolf man put something in a bag and tied it to the dolly,” she said as he handed her the toy. “He told the other faeries that it would allow them to watch me. What did they mean?”

  “I can’t say,” Henry answered. “But don’t worry about it. Let me teach you a psalm that will help if you’re ever feeling afraid. Do you ever feel afraid, Beth?”

  She gripped his hand as they made their way back into the woods. “Yes,” she admitted, gulping. “When the Shadows call to me.”

  “Then say this. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”

  “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want,” she said. “I think I’ve heard this before. Father sometimes reads it to me before I go to bed. What comes next?”

  “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.”

  She repeated the line, and they left the summery wood and passed through a transitional section that linked the past to the future. Snow covered all, as though the world were dark and without any sun to brighten it. A thick veil covered every tree and rock, making it difficult to see the path.

  “Hold onto me,” Henry told her as he lifted Beth into his arms. “Keep tight against me, Beth. I’ll protect you.”

  “Thank you, Hal,” she said, laying her head against his shoulder. “What comes next?”

  “He restoreth my soul,” the viscount quoted. “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, for his name’s sake.”

  The future duchess whispered the words, her eyes shut against the heavy snow and freezing rain. “I’m so very cold,” she whispered after saying the verse.

  “You’ll be warm soon, dear. I promise. Let’s keep praying, all right? Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for though art with me. Can you say that for me?”

  “Yes,” she muttered, her teeth chattering. “Yea, though I walk through the...”

  “Valley of the shadow of death,” he prompted.

  “I don’t like that part. Is it true? Why would the Lord take me into shadow? Is this the valley of death, Hal?”

  “No, darling. And God is here. Right now. He’ll show us the way.”

  All had gone black as night, with not one star to guide them. Henry nearly stumbled several times in the high drifts, for he couldn’t see his feet. “Hang on tightly,” he told her. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me.”

  “Does that mean God is here with us now?”

  “Yes, he is, dear. He’s here. Somewhere. We may not see him, but he’s always beside us. He’s always watching after you, Beth.”

  Henry whispered a silent prayer, straining to make out the road. Please, God, show me the path to get her home.

  Then a pinpoint of light appeared a hundred feet ahead. A brilliant star that brightened as Henry walked towards it. The guiding light hovered overhead, shining a beam of hope upon his feet and several yards before him.

  “Is that God?” the girl asked. “Is he the light?”

  “He is, darling!” Henry assured her, his voice choked with relief and joy. “He promises to be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We must thank him, mustn’t we?”

  She nodded, her face numb with cold. “Thank you, Jesus,” she whispered. “Thank you for sending Hal to help me get home.”

  Chapter Sixty-Seven

  The whirlwind nearly cut Charles in two, the pressure was so intense; but the duke stood his ground. “Lord in heaven, may your will be done,” he said aloud. “You are my rock and my salvation. I ask you to protect Adele and keep Beth safe, should this be my last moment upon earth.”

  A fierce roar split the air, and the Dragon drew closer.

  Hello, boy. I’m here. Join me and we will rule the world.

  A sweeter voice whispered into Charles’s right ear: There shall no evil befall thee, neither any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee.

  The eagle overhead rose up, transforming into a mighty warrior, and then turned about, diving towards the hedge maze.

  Saraqael looked up, his eyes round in surprise. “Shelumiel! Come take me, brother! I’ll tear you to shreds!”

  The fallen angel leapt into the air, a sword in his hand.

  Join me, boy. We’ll rule the world together and end the reign of men.

  “I am a man,” Charles dared say to the Dragon.

  You are the new man. The perfected man. You are MINE.

  The snout had nearly reached the portal’s edge, but the claws emerged first, each talon six feet in length. And all were aimed at Sinclair’s head.

  Just then, a miracle occurred.

  Charles could barely hear it over the whirlwind’s churning screams, but a small army rushed towards him, led by David Anderson. Baxter with a pistol, Count Riga carrying a shotgun, Stephen Blinkmire armed with nothing but his determination, and former Detective Sergeant Elbert St
anley, brandishing a gardener’s rake. The ragtag rescuers rushed towards the Dragon without blinking an eye.

  Baxter pulled his master from the area, placing himself twixt the duke and the monster. The others attacked the maelstrom; shooting, raking, and shouting scripture at the Dragon. Blinkmire grasped one of the claws and twisted it in his large hands, breaking it off, and the Dragon howled in pain. Using its other foot, it swept three of the brave Castle Company away, but Blinkmire held his ground. Despite their bravery, it looked to Sinclair as though the battle would be lost, and he pushed against Baxter to reach his friends.

  “No, sir! I cannot let you!” shouted Cornelius.

  “It’s going to kill them all!” Charles cried out, weeping.

  Don’t worry, Father. Don’t fear the Dragon, he heard his daughter say.

  “Help us, Lord,” he prayed, his eyes lifted up to heaven. “Help us!”

  Then, the world slowed down.

  Every movement stopped, and the fracas became a tableau, as though time had taken a breath.

  The angel overhead threw Saraqael to the ground, causing the whole area to quake. Only Charles perceived it, for only he could move.

  He stood, passing by a frozen Baxter. Sara stood as well, glaring at Sinclair.

  “This isn’t over!” he screamed before vanishing.

  Above his head, the great eagle now turned its eyes towards the Dragon, and it changed form once more, becoming a massive hand and arm, which took hold of the Dragon and hurled it back through the portal. The monstrous entity screamed as it swirled into the telescoping eddies, until Charles could see it no longer.

  Then, the hand slammed the portal shut.

  With a thunder clap, the deed was done, and the menacing monster vanquished.

  For now.

  “Who are you?” Charles asked the rescuer as the hand and arm became a man. He wore a gardener’s uniform, all in white, and his hair shone with white light.