They went back to Dimitrios’ office to work. Once they completed Anthony’s to-do list they did some fun things around the Hub that only Anthony and Dimitrios would know about.
When they finished, Dimitrios took him to his personal Passageway and they entered his “official” house. Charles was awe struck. It was amazing. Charles thought he had walked into a beautiful museum. The artwork was exquisite. Dimitrios was pleased that Charles could recognize the artwork and appreciate it. He showed him a couple of his collections before he took him back to the Jones’ Passageway.
CHAPTER 105
Nxy turned and walked briskly toward a shortcut to the border. As she walked she noticed something peculiar going on. Pawns were out of place. She scowled wondering what she’d missed out on making sure Joseph crossed the border. Nxy had been working hard for months on an extremely complicated score. When she saw Joseph her curiosity got the better of her. While she was away she lost her target. It didn’t bother her though. She had an idea of where he’d gone. He was a creature of bad habits. She’d catch up with him eventually. She wasn’t like the rest of those inhabiting the Netherworld; unlike the others she had a sixth sense.
Her rules were different. She didn’t have to bring something home to be taken care of. From the day Donovan laid eyes on her he liked her. Against Non’s advice he set her up as more of a Shadow Seeker. The only reason he helped her was because she was a huge moneymaker for the Stygian Market. She could dismantle and walk away with five Passageways before the Authorities would be notified of the first theft. They were always baffled by her precise execution of the details. No one knew how she accomplished what she did. She kept her method a secret. Just like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. She turned the corner. Nxy spotted her target and was once again in pursuit.
CHAPTER 106
The next morning Natalie was feeling better and was ready to get back to sparring with Charles. Wayland sat and watched them. He from time to time gave them some suggestions. Natalie said, “Okay tough guy come show me.”
The sparring became a little too competitive for Charles. Finally Wayland showed Natalie ways to beat up on him and she was good with that advice. Afterward they had a good laugh, and then went to the Jones’ office.
Natalie asked to look over the Caperson journals. She was intrigued with them. All her life she’d only seen her family’s library of journals. This was something new and exciting. It was a different way to journal. Just in the short time she sat with one she unlocked several mysteries. Since she knew German she was able to find patterns and significant facts locked away inside. She sat and took notes to share with Caroline. Catherine obviously spent a lot of time with puzzles.
Wayland was sitting at Charles’ desk with him having a discussion about Australia and being in the Brotherhood of Journeymen. All of a sudden Natalie jumped up and went to show Carson a passage she had found in the journal that had unlocked a secret.
Carson said, “I read that several times and I never once looked at it that way to discover what you found.”
Charles and Wayland were now standing beside them. The journal was glowing. Charles asked, “Natalie what did you find?”
She showed them. “A secret passage. It would seem I unlocked secrets to traveling that have been lost for centuries.”
Charles said enthusiastically, “Great! It looks like we will be going on another adventure soon.”
Natalie said, “Catherine was very clever. She put these together as a puzzle. I love the way she did this in fragmented segments. It’s not obvious. I’d love to ask Al about that.” Carson agreed that she should.
“My dad would be interested in this he’s a cryptographer. He taught me everything I know. She must have done this for a reason. Maybe because of what happened to her family. She must have thought it was a way to keep people who didn’t know the key, from finding out.”
Charles asked, “Does it say where the passage leads to?”
She said, “That is for me and Caroline to know; and for you men not to find out.”
Charles and Wayland both groaned. Charles said, “Really? Are we starting this already?”
Natalie laughed. “Where is your sense of humor boys?”
“Very funny.”
That night Charles called Caroline and asked her to come over the next day. Her mom said she could and agreed to drop her off once her chores were finished.
The next day Caroline’s mom brought her over and dropped her off for a visit. Natalie and Wayland were already in the office. Natalie was excited to show Caroline the secrets she had discovered in the journals. She explained to her how to unlock the secrets. Caroline was having fun working the puzzles with Natalie. She told Natalie a couple of ballads that her mom just recently sang for her that her Aunt Catherine used to sing.
Natalie wrote the words down. “This is incredible! Ask your mom more about Catherine. Try to learn as much as you can about her.”
“I know she loved to cook.”
“Oh, maybe she hid secrets in her recipes.
“I’ll show you what you just discovered through the song the next time. I want to try it out first before I show you.”
Natalie asked everyone to bring his or her crystals over to where she was sitting. She pulled hers out of her pocket. When they finished working, they came and she asked them to sit in a circle. She explained to Caroline, “I bet Catherine left you a crystal and when we find yours, you can do this too. If we can’t find Catherine’s, it will give us a good excuse to go shopping for your own. It is always better to have one passed down through generations. If by chance you don’t have one, we can find one to begin the tradition. Sit next to Charles this time and just watch.”
They put their crystals in the middle of the circle just as Natalie did. They began to share what they had been working on. The crystals began changing colors and swirling inside. Natalie explained to Caroline about the crystals, how powerful they are to a Sojourner and that most Sojourners do not even know all the things crystals can do.
Carson admitted, “I don’t even know all of the things my crystal can do.”
Natalie said to Caroline, “I will teach you everything I know about the new universe and her secrets. Sojourners should do this when they get together but they don’t because they have been taught to be secretive to avoid being stolen from; but it is good to have an exchange to rejuvenate them.”
An arch glowed above them. It pulsed and changed colors as they spoke. Charles had never seen this done before. Carson said, “My grandpa used to do that with me when we went camping. It was so long ago I forgot this ritual.”
Caroline asked if she could see everyone’s crystal. They agreed, so she moved to the middle of the circle and looked closely at them. She saw they were all different. When they finished everyone began removing their crystals from the circle. As they withdrew their crystals scattered flecks of colors appeared randomly around the room.
Caroline said to Natalie, “I can’t wait to learn more. I hope I find Catherine’s crystal. I’m going to ask my mother and grandparents more questions about her. I’m surprised she was so complicated.”
Natalie said, “There is a perfect crystal out there for you. You’ll see. As far as Catherine goes, you may be very surprised about her and what she accomplished. I’m interested in the journey through the secret passage. She gives a hint in her journal. I was reading about Willoughby the Forest Guide. They are called Wind Walkers by others.”
Carson said, “I wonder if that is the walking stick that belongs to Al. I’ll ask him more about it.” He went to get it. Caroline walked over to stand next to him.
She said, “My grandpa had that after Catherine died. I love the magnificent face on it. Whoever carved it made the face appear so life-like.” She reached out and touched it. As her fingers lightly touched the Forest Guide it opened its eyes. Everyone bent down to look at it. Caroline drew her hand back. It closed its eyes.
Natalie said, “It
responds to you Caroline. That was amazing.”
Wayland said, “I thought it was only a rumor that they would do that.”
Caroline asked, “Should I reach out and touch it again?”
Carson said, “I think you should. Maybe it will talk to you.”
They passed it over to her. She rubbed her hands together before she touched it. She held it gently. It slowly opened its eyes and looked around. In a whisper soft voice it asked, “Where is Catherine?”
Caroline bent over to see its face and said, “I’m sorry she’s not here. She died several years ago.”
It closed its eyes and said, “I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll miss her.”
Caroline said, “My name is Caroline. What’s your name?”
He said as he yawned, “My name is Willoughby. I’m a Forest Guide or Wind Walker for Truth Sojourners. I can help you find your way through any forest.”
Natalie prompted her to continue to talk. Caroline asked, “Willoughby did you guide Catherine through the forest?”
“Yes, she loved the forest and the forest dwellers.”
Natalie asked her to inquire of Willoughby if he knew of the Recluse.
“Do you know who the Recluse is, and where to find him?” Caroline asked.
He looked at Natalie and asked for her name. She answered.
He said, “I do know the answers to your questions.”
Caroline asked, “Willoughby will you tell us the answers?”
He said, “I am your guide and I am at your service.”
She asked again, “Where should we go to find the Recluse?”
Willoughby said, “The Recluse is the same Recluse today as he was yesterday and the day before throughout the ages. He never dies; after all he has eternal life. He will be saddened to learn that his dear friend went on to become one with the universe. I will take you to him, but first we must cross over into the Whispering Forest. I must impart to you that his identity is for him alone to reveal. He is a Recluse for a reason. He has many secrets. He is a maker of useful things and the keeper of potions and spells. That is all I can reveal to you of his nature for now dear Caroline.” He closed his eyes before continuing, “I’m sure he will be pleased to make your acquaintance Dear since Catherine was his favored visitor.” He closed his eyes.
Caroline handed the walking stick back to Carson. He went and set it down out of the way. Everyone had questions to ask about it.
Natalie said, “That is awesome. I would love to have my own Forest Guide. I am going to see my dad tonight. I will ask him questions about our new friend.”
Wayland said, “I think everyone would want one, if they witnessed Caroline with Willoughby.”
Natalie said, “Wait until I tell my dad. He will want to see a true Forest Guide come to life.”
Caroline said, “I wish I didn’t have to return him to my grandpa.”
Carson said, “Maybe we could work on that and see what we can do.”
Natalie asked, “Caroline, how much have you been able to read in the Sojourner’s Manual on the Guidelines of Sojourning?”
“I’ve read the book cover to cover.”
“That’s good we can move faster now.”
“Thank you.”
“What for?”
“For taking a chance on me and teaching me.”
Natalie smiled. “You are teaching me too. You don’t have to thank me. After all I got to choose my sister. I’m blessed. How many girls get to do that?”
Natalie pulled Caroline aside showing her something in the Sojourner’s Manual on the Guidelines of Sojourning. She whispered to Caroline, “You are very fortunate, Charles cares for you deeply. He went to a lot of trouble to make it so you can Sojourn. I know he would never tell you these things so I will. He risked everything, his future as Prime Minister and his fortune. He has it all: integrity, handsome, smart and the list goes on. He does care for you and no matter what happens in the future between the two of you, I’d like you to remember that he fought for you when the odds were stacked against you.”
Caroline understood. She turned and looked at Charles talking to Wayland. Caroline asked Natalie, “Charles is the next Prime Minister?”
“Yes, and that is a closely guarded secret. People could hurt him if they found out who the next Prime Minister will be. It is the most important role you can have as a Sojourner. He’ll be very powerful and influential around the world. My dad is in charge of his training. As he learns, eventually Anthony will train him himself. Right now he is very early in the process. His job requires long periods of time in order to fulfill his duties and is extremely challenging. He’s had a lot happen to him since he started. Fate twists and turns his destiny. He won the Hub Lottery, and no Prime Minister has ever done that. In the beginning he wasn’t the front-runner for becoming the next Prime Minister, but he turned out to be a treasure. He will be the second Prime Minister in his lineage.
“I’m glad that we made some important discoveries today. I’ll ask Dad if he has any information about Forest Guides such as Willoughby. I’m also going to research the puzzles I found in Catherine’s journal. I want to think about Catherine’s ballad. I’m sure it holds some important answers.” Natalie and Wayland had somewhere to be, so they gathered their things and said goodbye as they exited through the Passageway.
Carson told Charles and Caroline a quick story about when he was younger his grandpa had set his crystal out by the campfire when they would go camping. It would make an arch like Natalie set out earlier. He was always amazed at the beauty of something so simple. Caroline stood close to him and he showed her a couple of tricks with his crystal before he put it away.
Charles said, “It won’t be long before we go to the Hub and find out what you have inherited.”
Carson took out her inventory list and found where it said she did have a crystal that belonged to Catherine. She was glad to hear she had one to call her own. She just couldn’t wait to go and claim it. Caroline and Charles sat at his desk and reread some sections of the Sojourner’s Manual on the Guidelines of Sojourning. He quizzed her over it just for fun. They finished and Charles walked Caroline to the house just in time for Joyce to come get her.
**********
That night Caroline thought about everything Natalie had said to her. She was glad for the way her life had changed. If she hadn’t accepted, the relationship between them wouldn’t have developed into the friendship she now treasured. Charles never could have told her those things about himself that Natalie had explained. She looked in the mirror. From just a few days ago she had changed somehow. She was beginning to grow up.
**********
Carson opened the vault to put their crystals away. They moved closer to the vault and listened to the chatter coming from within. “I wish I knew what was being said.”
Bev moved closer and stood by him as they listened. She said, “The conversations occur so randomly. If we just knew when to listen for them, Dimitrios could come and attempt to interpret what is being said.”
They figured it must have been a coincidence when the voices stopped. Carson and Bev were fairly certain they could hear the vault voices, but that the individuals behind the vault voices couldn’t hear their conversations in the office.
Bev decided to put her things away and go shopping. She left Carson and Charles.
Carson looked at Charles and asked, “What do you want to do?”
Charles shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Carson asked, “Do you want to play the game?”
Charles said, “I thought you’d never ask.”
With great enthusiasm the two of them set up the game and began playing. This time Carson chose a more advanced player than he had used in the game previously, allowing him to keep up with Charles and have access to what he was working on. Carson noticed a character matching Charles’ description from earlier, lurking about watching them from a distance. Where they went, he followed.
Charles asked a rhet
orical question, “Won’t this guy ever quit following me?”
Carson suggested that possibly this character recognized his from the previous owner. They decided to use some of their earnings to hire a Guideling to help in solving their dilemma. The Guideling they hired stated the obvious solution; simply get away from the character. Charles and Carson looked at each other. Charles thought about the answer and asked in a different way, “What would be a good strategy for eluding the character?”
“Go to the Map Keeper and purchase a map to journey to another destination.”
“Okay, and where do I find a Map Keeper?”
“I can take you there for a price.” Carson paid him in the currency he requested.
“Follow me.”
They followed him for the longest time over different types of terrain. They began to get impatient. Charles was beginning to think he might be leading them into a trap or that maybe he had some ulterior motive for complicating their journey, because Guidelings could be tricksters. They decided to press on and eventually he escorted them to a Map Keeper.
He gave them a bit of advice before he left. “Map Keepers possess maps of different places in the Universe. Not all Map Keepers have the same maps. Farewell. May you find what you are searching for.”
The Map Keeper was even more eccentric than the Guideling. He was an elderly man with completely grey hair and beard. Charles thought it was odd that he mumbled when he spoke, with the exception that he would all of a sudden loudly blurt out an emphasized word. They realized once they entered, that the Guideling had led them to the Map Keeper’s home. He was a very attentive host offering tea and scones, but they politely declined. He didn’t seem to hear them. He went on his way to his kitchen and prepared a tray that consisted of teacups and a heaping pile of scones on a decorative plate. He went back for his kettle to fill the cups with hot water. After he did this he disappeared with it back into the kitchen. Charles looked into the cup and showed Carson that there wasn’t any tea in it. Carson removed his napkin on the tray that hid a strange looking small utensil. Carson picked it up and stirred it in his teacup. Instantly tea began swirling from the utensil. Charles nodded and did the same with his.
The Xidoran Prophecy Page 78