Xander picked up her earpiece from the floor. All he could hear was Dimitrios’ voice calling out, “Anjoleah are you all right? Somebody answer me. What is going on there?”
Xander put the earpiece on and said, “This is Xander reporting for the Commissioner. She was engaged with the suspect but has moved on. She will report when the job is done.” He promptly followed after Anjoleah. As soon as he caught up to her, Xander returned the headpiece.
Dimitrios breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to Anthony and turned off his voice system. “She’s crazy!”
Immediately afterward the targets were taken into custody. Anjoleah listened to the reports coming in. She made an assessment of the entire extraction and reported to Anthony and Dimitrios. “Over all, it went very well. We have twenty total imprisoned, one escaped, seven incidents where the captives were injured, one needed medical care at a facility and two fatalities.”
When she finished Dimitrios said, “Good work Commissioner. Now get yourself checked out at the facility. I’ll have someone waiting.”
She smirked. “Aren’t you on vacation?” No comment.
“That’s what I thought. I don’t have to take orders from you if you’re on vacation.”
Anthony said, “Ditto.”
Anjoleah laughed and shook her head.
CHAPTER 103
Charles, Bev and Carson were in the office when Natalie and Wayland came through the Passageway. Natalie brought a few items for Caroline. She asked when Caroline would arrive.
Charles glanced at the cuckoo clock. “It shouldn’t be long before they arrive.”
Natalie said, “Good. I have some things to go over with her.”
She and Wayland sat on the floor. Mr. Gladestom was the next to appear. Carson assisted him through the Passageway. He greeted everyone and went right to work setting up. Bev helped him. Carson and Airabelle were busy discussing the Caperson journals.
Bev said, “I bet Margaret will be here soon. I’ll send Caroline in when they arrive.” She left.
It didn’t take long before Caroline and Al came through the door. Caroline walked over to Natalie and they hugged. Charles went over and put his arm around her. They all sat down together. Al and Carson were busy discussing what was going to be taking place. Mr. Gladestrom privately thanked Al for being there. When everything was set up, Hugh asked for everyone’s attention. He started by thanking everyone for being there.
“Today is about finalizing items for my firm so we can move ahead, helping Caroline begin Sojourning and receive her inheritance.” He looked through his papers and set them out on Carson’s desk. He set a golden pen embossed with the image of a dragon beside the papers.
He began with, “I’ve taken the liberty to make sure that the Hub Bank, and the Journal Storage Shop owner are aware of Miss Caroline Saunders’ claim to her inheritance.” He took out a packet of paper that he gave Al, which explained all the passwords and account information. It also included a detailed list of her inheritance. Al handed it over to Carson.
Al said, “I am pleased to be included in this meeting. I am happy Caroline is able to Sojourn. Most of all I am happy she will receive her inheritance from her great aunt Catherine. I believe having Mr. Jones handle my affairs as guardian is the best way forward.” Carson was surprised by Al’s decision, but didn’t say anything. Al patted him on the back. Mr. Gladestrom approved.
He continued, “Mr. Albert Caperson.” Al acknowledged him. “On this day in front of witnesses do you hereby announce that you are naming Caroline Saunders as the heir to Miss Catherine Caperson’s estate?”
Al said, “I do.”
“Do you hold anything back from her for yourself?”
“I do not.”
“Please sign here.” Al did as he was asked.
Hugh then turned to Caroline and asked her to step forward. She did. Natalie and Charles stood alongside her, holding her hand. He asked, “Is your name Caroline Grace Saunders?”
“It is.”
“Miss Caroline do you hereby accept the contents of the Caperson Estate?”
“I do.”
“Do you promise to uphold the Laws of Sojourning; vow to learn about and respect what has been given to you to the best of your ability?”
“I do.”
He turned to Natalie. “Are you a Sojourner?”
“Yes.”
“Have you been approved to mentor Miss Caroline?”
“Yes, by the Sojourners’ Council.”
“Do you promise to mentor her; answer and assist her to the best of your ability?”
“Yes.”
“Do you promise to teach her what you know about the Sojourner Laws and the etiquette of Sojourning?”
“I do.”
He said to Caroline, “Today I am hereby awarding you with several Sojourner tools that once belonged to Catherine Caperson. Inside the case are the complete instructions on how to utilize these tools. Do you accept these?”
“I do.”
“I am also giving you a detailed list of your inheritance, a checkbook and savings passbook to the Hub Bank.”
He turned and handed the paperwork to Al. He requested that Al verify the total amount in each account. Al did so and handed the items to Carson.
Hugh then said, “I am the Trust Manager for the Caperson estate and until you are twenty one years of age, I will be managing the trust fund of this estate. You may contact me at any time for assistance. Do you have any questions at this time?” She didn’t.
He asked her to sign the paperwork verifying that she received the items he listed. She did.
Mr. Gladestrom continued, “I contacted the Queen of England. She is very excited for the Kingdom to be placed in your hands. She has requested for everyone to be at the Royal Coronation for Miss Caroline. She has formally invited each one of you and asks personally that you attend. She even has an invitation here for the Prime Minister and Mr. Dimitrios.”
Caroline interrupted, “Did you say a formal royal ceremony?”
“I did. I said a Royal Coronation.”
“For me…?”
“I did.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
“Why me?”
“My Dear, you are the heir to the Kingdom.”
“Why would the Queen of England go to all of this trouble for me?”
“You are her relative. She has a secret covenant with her family that she must abide by (it has been in place for centuries) which entails a charter for the land that your kingdom is on. It states she must abide by it and she intends to. The Queen is a woman of her word. She has integrity and a vision.”
Caroline said, “I’m not questioning that. I just don’t understand this abstract kingdom.”
Hugh smiled, “Neither did Catherine. She didn’t have a vision of it.”
Al said, “Neither did I.”
Caroline asked, “What if I don’t either? Then what?”
Hugh shrugged. “Time will tell.”
Caroline asked, “Do you know why Catherine didn’t accept her title?”
“Besides not having a vision for the Kingdom? Well, she stated she had a fiancée when she was younger that she believed was her soul mate. He died at a young age. She didn’t want to try to replace him. So she wasn’t going to have children. She asked Al, but he declined because the love of his life could not Sojourn. His daughter didn’t have the gift. She knew you had been born and she asked my firm to see if in fact you could possibly be the one.” He shrugged again. “You are.”
“The one?”
“You are her heiress.”
Caroline nodded. She whispered, “Is this a dream?”
Hugh looked around. “No. It’s reality.”
Hugh handed out the invitations. They had exquisite detail. Everyone admired the envelopes, and no one wanted to open them. He turned, gathered the things he needed for the firm and left Carson with the items he had mentioned. He said goodbye to everyone and left throu
gh the Passageway. Caroline stared at it even after he was gone.
Charles asked her if she wanted her things to be kept in Carson’s vault. She agreed. He then asked if she would want Dimitrios to look over her Sojourner tools.
She asked, “Who is Dimitrios?’
“He is the Prime Minister’s Assistant and Natalie’s dad.”
She smiled at Natalie. Then she looked at Charles and said, “Sure, that would be fine.”
Charles retrieved the letter opener out of Carson’s desk.
Carson said, “Even better. Use the crystal and rub it over the back of the Sojourner paper. The envelope will just open.”
Charles opened it and admired the artwork. Each invitation was a little different.
Caroline asked, “How did she know who to invite?”
Charles said, “Well she is the Queen.”
Caroline nodded. Natalie was sitting on the floor. She patted the floor beside her. “Come sit with me.” Caroline went to sit by her.
Natalie had a book in her hand. “Do you recognize this book?”
“I used to have some like it.” Al brought her Catherine’s Sojourner glasses. She put them on and Natalie opened the book. Caroline’s eyes widened. “Ahhh.”
Natalie asked, “What do you see?”
Caroline pointed out all the details. “This is Catherine’s journal? What language did she use?”
Natalie said, “This is Catherine’s Sojourner journal. She wrote in German. But crystals can help you translate.” Natalie picked up a crystal and showed Caroline how to move the crystal across the words in order to pick up the translation.
Caroline touched the page. A picture popped out and startled her. She drew her hand back. Natalie laughed. She showed her how to manipulate the book. Caroline got the hang of it pretty easily. “I don’t remember it being like this.”
Charles went to get a page that she had colored on. “Do you remember this?” She said she did. “This is how we suspected you are a Sojourner.”
She traced the colored lines she had traced as a toddler. She looked at him and smiled.
Al came over and stroked her hair. “That was just the beginning.”
Natalie began Caroline’s instruction on Sojourner journals and tools. Wayland sat down to read a world newspaper. Carson challenged Al to a game of chess. Charles had work to do. He sat down at his desk and began working.
After Natalie and Wayland left, Charles asked Caroline if she wanted to go for a walk. They went for a walk by the lake and followed the trail into the woods. Charles asked, “So how do you feel about Sojourning?”
She twisted dandelions she found along the path into bracelets. “Fine. I’m just taking it all in. When did you start Sojourning?”
“I learned about it at my fifteenth birthday party.”
She glanced at him. “So you just started too?”
“Yes, I haven’t been doing it much longer than you.”
When he said that it made her feel better because she was still a little confused by all of the prior events. She said, “You’re not confused or scared?”
“No. I think it has been amazing so far. Are you scared?”
She shook her head no. “I am just trying to understand how my life is changing so fast.”
He agreed. “That I get. I love it for a lot of different reasons. You’ll love it for your own.”
“I think when I get used to it, I will love it too. I’m just afraid of making a mistake. So many people are watching me and trying to help me. I feel self-conscious.”
Charles said, “I don’t know how you could make a mistake.” She thought about that and shrugged.
They walked around the farm and investigated the barn with all the tractors. Charles chased a couple of chickens that were loose. Walter drove by on a tractor and waved to them. When they made their way back to the farmhouse everyone was ready to eat. They sat in the kitchen and ate together. When they finished, Caroline left with her grandparents.
That night the Jones family went to the office and played the game. Charles was getting really good at playing. He had already used his character to make several alliances and had jobs to do. He had big plans to save enough money to buy his own planet. Bev and Carson purchased land with the currency they had from the previous owner’s game rights. They were content to stay behind for now and work on the village commerce. All three worked together as a team, but Charles went off on his own several times to see what he could accomplish. The character he had chosen was good in that role.
He noticed that often one particular character followed him around. He wasn’t sure about this individual and kept an eye on him. At times he would take credit for Charles’ hard work. Most of the time the theft was payment for odd jobs, so it was just annoying and a minor irritation to Charles. When he saw the character, Charles would try to avoid him and hire out for different jobs.
He had his first real confrontation with a Wolvezor that night. However, he managed to outsmart it. He learned from a Guideling later, that they weren’t outsmarted easily. Before Charles left him the Guideling offered a bit of advice that he would consider as he played the game that evening: “The game isn’t quite what it presents itself to be; it’s designed to be a continuous game within a game within a game. It’s obvious you’ve only just begun. Your character is far more advanced than where you are skill wise. You have no idea what you have to work with. In order to get to the advanced level you will have to invest in the game to learn its secrets. Just be careful of your every move. In other words young man “the game” might come to own you if it wins.”
They were all learning as they went and it was fun to see what opportunities they could come up with. Charles was glad that the characters Carson purchased had stockpiled previous resources and assets. It opened more doors for him and made the game easier at times. Bev had chosen the least used character to try to build up its resources and game level. They played on into the night before calling it quits.
When they finished playing Charles mentioned to Carson the comment the Guideling made about the game. Carson looked at Bev and then continued putting the game away.
Later that night Carson commented to Bev, “I think I might pay a visit to our friend Nicky. The Guideling may be trying to tell us something. There might be some truth his comments.”
Bev thought about what he said, “It certainly is entertaining. I think you’re right though. I agree maybe Nicky knows more than he originally let on about this game.”
CHAPTER 104
The next morning Charles woke up. After getting ready he went down to the kitchen to see why it was so quiet in the house. He looked out the back door and sure enough the doorknob had changed colors. He ran to the office door and slowly opened it. It was dark inside. He could see that Dimitrios, Natalie, Wayland and Anthony were standing in a circle. Charles walked around everyone until he came to Bev and Carson. He squeezed in to see what they were watching. He whispered, “Wow. That’s amazing… what is it?”
Dimitrios whispered back, “It’s a kingdom depiction of what was going on at that time.” The people were all scurrying around. Dimitrios could manipulate the views and see everyday life taking place all around the village.
Charles asked, “So the kingdom was real after all?”
Dimitrios put his pointer finger up to his mouth to let him know he needed to be quiet. When they finished Dimitrios closed the image. Everyone discussed how interesting it was to be able to look back at an actual day in the history of the kingdom.
Charles asked, “Did you find out where it was?”
Dimitrios answered, “I think I have a very good idea from the clues we just saw. I’m going to have to do a little research.”
Charles said, “I bet you will discover its location.”
Anthony asked, “Dimitrios how many Sojourner tools did you say were in the leather case?”
“I counted thirteen, and thank goodness they all came with detailed instructions. A person
could spend a lifetime trying to learn about them without instructions.”
Anthony said, “The tools are quite advanced for a beginning Sojourner.”
Dimitrios said, “By the way, Anthony and I were hand-delivered Royal Coronation invitations for Miss Caroline from the Queen of England. Her assistant delivered ours personally today. They were magnificent. The Queen is renowned for her exquisite taste. I would have expected nothing less.”
Anthony smiled. “We sent in our R.S.V.P. immediately.”
Dimitrios stated they were very curious what this coronation might entail. “We both tried to get information from her assistant but his lips were sealed. He would only say it would be a once in a lifetime affair.”
Anthony said, “Who would miss that?”
Carson had told Dimitrios earlier that Caroline wasn’t coming to visit that day because she was with her parents. Dimitrios asked Charles if he wanted to spend the day with him. Charles was curious what it would be like to accompany Dimitrios and to witness what his job entailed since his job description was a mystery. The Sojourner manual only stated the assistant’s job was to be at the disposal of the Prime Minister and to fill whatever role the Prime Minister had chosen for him. This was the first time Dimitrios had asked Charles to accompany him, so he didn’t pass up the opportunity to go. When they were finished, they left with Anthony.
Once in the Hub Natalie and Wayland left the group to research in the library. The three men went as far as the office building together, and then to their separate offices. Anthony asked them to stop by his office to pick up a list of what he wanted Charles to work on for the day. The rest of their time was to be filled with whatever Dimitrios wanted him to learn.
Dimitrios showed Charles around the office. They looked through files together and discussed what he did on a daily basis. He took Charles to the headquarters and met with some of the agents that were available. Dimitrios didn’t formally announce what Charles’ title was but they suspected he was important if he was spending time with Dimitrios. Then they headed back to the office building and to Anthony’s office. His secretary greeted them and they went right in to see Anthony. He gave them the list of things they needed to work on that day.
The Xidoran Prophecy Page 77