The Xidoran Prophecy

by Elaine Bassett

  They went to the Hub Bank first and met everyone outside. There was a lot of paperwork to get through. The teller explained that any money withdrawn had to go through Mr. Gladestrom and Mr. Jones first. Caroline was fine with the stipulation. She was more excited about moving on to what she really wanted to see--the items in storage.

  When they walked out of the bank Charles taught her how to spin the flying disk. He explained how to maneuver a disk when driving it in the Hub. When it was Caroline’s turn it took her several tries before she got the hang of just spinning the disk to get it started.

  The Hub was busy. People were everywhere. The walkways were very congested. The group that was there today seemed very futuristic to Charles. He tried not to pay too much attention but he quietly pointed out a leather jacket he liked to Caroline.

  She remarked, “This is like a masquerade with everyone dressed up so different. I love it!”

  Then he pointed out the shopping district where the markets were. He called attention to different things about the Hub and explained how the Time Warp Tunnels operated.

  Carson pointed out that the storage facility was right around the corner. When they found it Wayland held the door open as everyone entered.

  A little old man not much taller than five feet, who suddenly appeared behind the counter, greeted them. He asked, “May I help you?”

  Caroline said, “My name is Caroline Saunders. Mr. Gladestrom said that when I enter your store I should say to you ‘orange blossom’, and you would understand what that means.”

  He nodded, “I do indeed know what that means.”

  He looked at Al and asked, “Are you related to Miss Catherine?”

  Al said, “Yes, I am her brother.”

  The man walked around the counter, and said, “I thought so… Albert Caperson. I knew you when you were knee high to a grasshopper.”

  He made a reference to being small with his hand. Then he straightened up.

  “Good to see you again. Going to miss your sister.” He turned and walked away motioning for them to follow.

  Al said out loud to him, “I remember now… your name is Beagan. You used to play with me when we came here. You always chose the best hiding places.”

  Beagan turned around and smiled. “That I did, didn’t I? Right this way, keep moving.”

  They followed him to a room that had an oversized antiqued bronze door. He took out from his pocket a set of skeleton keys on a large ring holder. He talked to himself as he searched for the correct key to open the door. He found it and turned the key in the lock. As he opened the door it loudly protested with a squeak. He sheepishly turned around to them and said, “I need to oil the hinges. Well, let me know if I can help you in any way. I will be up in front.”

  He handed the key to Caroline, turned on the light and then left them. They walked into the room. The room was filled with shelving. On the left side of the room along the wall were volumes of Caperson family journals.

  Natalie spotted them. “Amazing! Look at all your family journals Caroline.” She went over and began browsing through them. Everyone found something immediately to look at. It was all organized very well. In the middle of the room on a pedestal was a dazzling diamond tiara with a matching necklace.

  On one of the shelves in the back of the room was a beautiful black box. It caught Charles’ eye because of the exquisite inlaid patterns. When he picked it up Charles could see a yellow and orange sun inlaid with jewels on top.

  Caroline came and stood beside him. “Open it,” she said. He did and inside was a set of twelve crystals. They immediately began to sparkle and cast colors around the room. Al came over and picked up a crystal. It seemed to recognize him and flickered several colors. He set it back in the box and smiled at her.

  She said, “That’s yours Grandpa. You keep it.”

  He said, “No, that’s okay. You keep it for me.”

  They smiled at each other. He put his hand on her shoulder and said, “Let me show you something.”

  Charles set the box down and followed them. Al showed her a box with the most common Sojourner tools in it. “This is what you will use most often.”

  She was so happy to look through it with Charles. She tried on several pairs of Sojourner glasses. It wasn’t until she put on pink ones, that Charles said, “Those are perfect!”

  She giggled. “Really? I think so too.”

  Natalie explained the Hub hieroglyphics and how the glasses would help in reading them. “The glasses are like a decoder tool.”

  Caroline and Natalie had fun opening various trinket and jewelry boxes, discovering what was in them. Carson and Al were looking over scrolls that were placed in decorative cylinders.

  Bev noticed a cherub on the top shelf. She asked Al, “What is that on the top shelf Al?”

  He came over and gently took it down. “That is a marble track. It is a Passageway.”

  Carson came over. “A Marble Track Passageway?”

  “Yes.” Al looked around for the golden ball. He made sure it was set up properly and said, “Watch this.” Everyone was watching now. At the top of the track was a beautiful angel, when the ball gently plopped into its basket the angel bent over. Then the angel put the marble on another track where it followed the track to a cherub who moved out of the way and allowed it to pass by. From there it went through dancing and spinning angels until the last one carried it back to the beginning. It just kept going in a circle. Angel wings were engraved on the track. A magnificent oil painting of a sunset with clouds was a backdrop for the track. He set it back on one of the shelves lower than where it was previously.

  “Here is our family’s primary Passageway.” He checked the clock to make sure it was running. It was, and when the minute hand passed the three it opened a Passageway with a dragon on it. Al smiled. “Still works.”

  Bev found a bag to put a few things in to take with them. They explored a little longer before deciding to leave and get something to eat. Caroline returned the key to Beagan. Beagan turned and reached for a shelf that had many small doors lined up facing them. He pushed a special code into one of the door’s lock. He withdrew a small box and handed it to Caroline. Caroline placed the box in Bev’s bag. They went to a cafe to have a snack before they headed back to the office.

  When they returned Bev talked briefly with the others before she said, “I need to start dinner.” She invited Al to get Margaret and come back for dinner. He said he would. He gave Caroline a kiss and let her stay to visit.

  Caroline and Charles sat on the floor with Natalie and Wayland. They talked about all the amazing things they found in the storage room. Caroline stood and went to Bev’s bag. She took out a beautiful necklace she had previously placed in the bag. She brought it over to Natalie and handed it to her. She thanked her for being her mentor.

  Natalie was surprised. “Caroline, thank you, but I don’t think you should give away your necklace.”

  She tried to hand it back but Caroline just put it on her anyway. “It’s very beautiful on you.” Natalie thanked her and gave her a hug. Wayland admired it. Charles put his arm around Caroline.

  Natalie and Wayland decided they had to depart. Natalie said, “We will be back tomorrow. We have to discuss etiquette for the coronation ceremony. I think you should try on the coronet Bev brought back for you.” She smiled. She and Wayland waited for the Passageway to open.

  Caroline asked Charles, “What coronet?” She jumped up to look in the bag.

  Carson laughed. “Here it is.” She went over to Carson. He handed her a reddish purple box with the family crest--a dragon in gold on the top of the box. She picked it up and inspected the dragon. Inside the box Caroline beheld the most gorgeous diamond coronet she could have imagined. It sparkled as she lifted it out of the box and put it on.

  Carson said, “Your grandpa chose this one.”

  “Then this is the one I will wear,” she said. She carefully put it back into the box.

  Carson found
the key to open the vault and put all of her things inside. They sat and talked before Margaret and Al returned.

  Carson said to Charles, “I am working on how I am going to approach your mom and dad about you staying on and helping out around here over the school year. Would you like that?”

  Charles face lit up as he said, “Oh yes I would. I don’t want to move back there. This is my home now.”

  Carson secretly agreed. “I think we will find a way to make it happen.”

  Charles said, “This school year will be the best one ever!”

  “Your mom wants you to come home now. She misses you and so do the girls.”

  Charles said, “No way. I won’t go. This is my home now.”

  Carson said, “We’ll figure something out.”

  “My sisters don’t miss me. That’s lame. Maybe Sophie but not Cynthia. She wants my room.” Carson smiled and shrugged.

  Caroline convinced Charles to catch lightning bugs with her. As they were leaving the office, in the distance Charles saw Varina’s silhouette. She froze and watched them before trotting off. Carson came out and sat at the picnic table. They listened to Esmond croaking by the pond. Charles could tell he missed Airabelle. He figured tonight would be as good a night as any to let them out to play amongst the stars. Charles grabbed Caroline to make sure she stood still. Charles said, “Shhhh, listen. Do you hear that?”

  She asked, “What am I listening for?”

  “The frogs. Do you hear their conversation?”

  Caroline jokingly asked, “What are they saying?”

  Charles listened, “They want Airabelle and Airasten to come out and play.”

  Caroline put her hands on her hips and said, “Come on Charlie.”

  He said, “No really. It’s Esmond and Raine.”

  Caroline said, “Prove it.”

  He smiled at her and said, “Okay, let’s go!” He grabbed her hand, went to the potting shed and grabbed a couple of camping lanterns. He handed one to her and he took the other. He grabbed her hand, walked across the yard and down the garden path leading into the forest toward the pond. It was getting to be dusk and the sun was setting.

  Carson laughed at them and mumbled to himself, “Don’t be gone too long.” He went back inside the office.

  Charles raced with Caroline following him until he came to an old log by the pond. He stood her next to it. Two frogs jumped out from under the log. Caroline was surprised. Charles picked up Esmond and he croaked, “Hiiii Charrrles.”

  Caroline’s eyes got wide. She bent down and looked at him.

  He looked at her and croaked, “Whooo iss thisss?”

  “Caroline, and she’s obviously never heard a frog talk either,” Charles said laughing.

  Esmond and Raine looked at each other. “She can understand us too?”

  “Looks like it,” said Charles.

  Caroline shot him a look. “Quit making fun of me! Why have I never understood them before?”

  Charles sat down beside her. “I’m not making fun of you. You probably just took for granted in your subconscious they were croaking, and didn’t try to hear what they were saying. We learned in school frogs croak. Who knew that we have a gift that allows us to understand animals?” He shrugged. “Not all Sojourners do.”

  Caroline wasn’t amused. “I don’t believe you.”

  He faked a look of being surprised and asked, “What? After all we have been through the last couple of days, you don’t believe me no matter how absurd things get?”

  She looked at him. “You expect me to believe that now I can understand frogs? That is suspicious.”

  He bent over and picked up a small rock and skipped it across the pond. Without looking at her, he said, “It’s true, believe it or not. You tuned your mind into a frequency that allows you to communicate with them. You did it really fast. It took me weeks to figure it out.”

  She closed her eyes and shook her head. She stood up, came alongside him and picked up a rock, skipping it across the pond. They stood silently for a while and skipped rocks.

  He asked, “Don’t you understand Airabelle and Airasten?”

  She thought about that. “Well, yeah I have. You know that.”

  “Same thing.”

  He picked up Esmond who was staring at them. “They will be out tonight.”

  He croaked a thanks and dove into the pond.

  “Time to go back.”

  She took his hand and they walked together in the darkness with their lanterns lighting the path. She held her lantern up as she whispered, “My whole life has changed in such a short time. Who knew…?”

  “That you were special? I did.”

  She kissed him on his cheek. “Thank you. It all seems like a dream. I have to pinch myself.”

  Bev had plates fixed for them for dinner. They ate together under the stars. After dinner the adults played card games. Bev set up a quilting date with Margaret for the next day. Later Caroline left with her grandparents. Charles and Carson waited until almost midnight to let Airabelle and Airasten out to frolic.

  CHAPTER 112

  The next morning Charles was running late. He ran through the kitchen and kissed Bev on the cheek before running out the back door to the office. When he reached the office door he took a deep breath and entered. He looked around. Carson was alone at his desk. He was having a conversation with a Hub news reporter from Jordan. Charles quietly closed the door and listened to their conversation. He sat at his desk. Airabelle came and perched on his shoulder. He whispered to her, “Did you have fun last night?”

  “Uh huh, we did. We stayed out past curfew.”

  “You didn’t come back when Paw Paw rang the wind chime?”

  “Well, let’s say we stayed out just a little later.”

  Charles shook his head and teasingly said under his breath, “Mischief maker.” Airabelle just bobbed her head.

  Soon Natalie came without Wayland through the Passageway. Charles was surprised he didn’t come with her. “He will be here later. They are getting ready for trial and they needed to talk to him,” she said.

  Carson asked Natalie if she wanted to discuss the riddle book after she went over material for Caroline’s coronation. She agreed that would be a good idea. They each chose different items to work on while they waited for Caroline to appear.

  Caroline finally came to the door. Charles let her in and they sat down by Natalie. They kept their voices low since Carson was still having his discussion with the news reporter. They went over royal etiquette and what Natalie suspected the ceremony would entail. She said she stopped by and talked to her dad about the coronation last night. Then Natalie modeled: how Caroline should stand, curtsy, walk, sit and talk. She explained how to address the Queen and other dignitaries who would be attending. She went over the silverware place setting and how to eat properly, etc. Then they role-played which Charles thought was hilarious. He wanted to pretend to be the Queen but Natalie wouldn’t allow him that privilege. Carson finished his interview and joined them. He contributed some words of wisdom. Then he walked to his desk to get the Riddle Book when Natalie decided she had done a thorough job.

  Natalie asked Carson if he would train Caroline in this area. He agreed. He opened the book and showed her the writing inside the book and the answers. He explained how he researched using his history books. He showed her around the vault, letting Caroline and Natalie see the family’s collection of coins. He took out their gold card for the auctions and explained it to Caroline.

  Natalie said, “I’ve learned a lot from your presentation, Mr. Jones, since my dad can’t Sojourn coins while holding office. Thank you for the opportunity to learn.”

  “Sometime we will all go on an adventure together, if your dad will allow you to participate.”

  She said she’d ask. “With this large trial looming around the corner, that is what he must stay focused on right now.” She nudged Charles. “I don’t think you are going to get out of work for too much longer.”


  Charles pretended that the nudge hurt his arm. They laughed. “Oh, all right. I’d like you to know that I have been keeping up with the studies your father has recommended.”

  Carson asked if they would like to see something magical. They all shouted, “Yes!” Carson opened the stairway to the clothes closet in the basement. He took them to the music room. Caroline and Natalie went to the grand piano and looked it over. Natalie asked if she could play it.

  Carson said, “I thought you’d never ask.”

  She sat down and looked through the sheet music to find a musical piece she liked. She began to play a fox trot. The dancers came out and greeted one another and began to dance. It was a beautifully flawless dance.

  The dancers motioned to Charles to dance with Caroline. She agreed and danced alongside them. Caroline tried really hard but she had never danced like that before. Charles gave her pointers and she improved. Carson was so proud to see them dance. It brought back special memories for him.

  Natalie played several songs. She didn’t want the dancers to stop. She asked him, “Who are they?” Carson told her their story as she played. They applauded for the dancers when they finished the dance and disappeared. Carson thought to himself that it was strange that they looked sad to have the music stop. He’d never seen them have emotion before.

  When Natalie put the sheet music away she said, “I’m addicted to them. May I come back and play again to see them dance. They are so elegant. I can’t get over the way they move so beautifully together. It was magic.” Carson said she could return to play anytime she desired.

  Charles and Caroline continued to dance. Charles was giving her more instructions. Wayland had been watching from the doorway and he clapped.

  Carson sneaked away with Natalie and Wayland to give them a tour of the clothes library. They followed Carson back upstairs.

  Before Natalie left with Wayland, she said to Caroline, “I think you are ready now. The coronation will be in just a couple of days. Do you have any questions?” Caroline shook her head, and thanked Natalie for her help. She admitted she was nervous.