by L. R. W. Lee
He strode closer to inspect a barrel-shaped, rusted structure fifteen feet tall. Two gear wheels, each Andy’s height, rose vertically. An equally large horizontal flywheel joined them, their cogs meshing at eye level. A tangle of metal piping wound through and around the three. What looked like a giant pair of tweezers, its ends jammed into the ground, hulked above, holding the gears together—one side extended through the middle, the other stabilized the structure from the outside. Propellers and several smaller gears were situated throughout.
It’s got to be Oomaldee’s center! Andy’s heart sped up as he set his backpack down and extracted the mechanism he had assembled over the last several months. Trevig cocked his head.
Andy studied the gear then surveyed the rusted structure. Where’s this go?
He circled, studying its intricacies. If I can make this work… Andy’s stomach did a somersault. Three quarters of the way around he observed a round tin that reminded him of the one Grandma Smithson used to put Christmas cookies in, although it was taller. A giant spring held it in place in the middle of the structure. Is that it? It that where this goes?
Andy had attracted a small crowd, but he paid them no mind. The somber mood blanketed them and no one spoke.
Andy inserted his arm between several of the gears, but even though he stretched, he couldn’t reach the tin. Andy pulled his arm out and meandered around, looking for another way.
No angle’s going to give me clear access. If I could just move it a little...
On the opposite side from where he’d started, Andy set the gear on the ground, inserted his arm again, and stretched for all he was worth. A tangle of wires pressed into his face and a pair of gears prevented his chest from further progress. The tips of his fingers skimmed the surface of the tin. He pressed harder, and after straining for a full minute, succeeded in nudging the box away from him. Rust flaked as he pushed it. Better not move it too far or the spring might break.
A murmur rose from onlookers.
He pulled his arm free, grabbed the gear he’d assembled, and walked back to his original position. Now able to reach the tin, he felt around the face and sides and located a hinge, but rust made it impossible to open. Come on, work with me…
Whispers encouraged him on. He felt around the back and between the coils of the spring until he found a keyhole. Withdrawing his arms, Andy knelt and extracted the gold key from his backpack. I know it’s rusted, but please work.
Onlookers gestured.
Like a game of Operation, he reengaged his patient. Don’t drop it. Andy inched the key through the spring’s coil, brought it to the tips of his fingers, then slowly turned it around. Like a knife cutting warm butter, the key slid in without resistance.
“He’s doing it!” A woman in the front exclaimed, lightening the somber mood.
Click. The round face of the box sprung open. Yes!
A few onlookers gasped.
Andy extracted the key and stepped back. He picked up the gear and wove it around the wiry obstacle course, bringing it to the open box.
So close… Andy felt his stomach flutter and nearly dropped the heart. He inched the gear up, turned it so the side with the two round parts was at the top, then pressed it into the cavity. A click made the butterflies in his stomach take flight. He closed the door and relocked it.
“Now what?” two bystanders asked.
They didn’t have long to wait, for as soon as Andy extracted his arms and stepped back, the rust began to evaporate. Starting at the contraption’s highest point, the metamorphosis spread downward—dark rust transformed to tangerine, then turned translucent. It finally dissolved completely, leaving a shining bronze structure.
Several onlookers chanced tentative smiles.
But the contraption was not content merely to be free from the entombing rust. Like a teakettle building up steam, wisps of white vapor began seeping from its highest point. Within minutes the vapor had condensed, and Andy almost expected to hear steam whistling when several of the propellers began to turn, slow at first but gaining speed. The main vertical gears shuddered, then pushed the horizontal cog into its first revolutions in over five hundred years.
Fingers pointed. Exclamations rose.
Soon the trail of white vapor thickened and grew into a column ten feet tall. The mechanism sputtered, gurgled, and hissed, and the vapor stream suddenly shot into the mist.
Gasps rose and everyone lurched back.
I did it! I did it! It works! Andy beamed. A second later the meaning hit him: If we can repair Carta’s center, Abaddon can’t touch us anymore. We might even defeat him. Andy drew a hand to his chest and breathing became difficult.
“That vapor’s gone to join Cwomlech’s center.”
Andy turned toward the unmistakable voice, and a smile burst across his face. “Mermin!” He ran to the spry but ancient wizard and embraced him. “It’s so good to see you!”
Mermin’s long silver hair hung from beneath a Santa hat with a pompom at the tip. His overflowing royal-blue robes puddled at his ankles like always. A stone pendant hung from a gold chain about his neck, resting over his heart. The mage swiped at tears trickling down his cheeks as he stared at the spectacle.
“Andy!” A duo rushed toward them.
“Alden! Hannah!” Hugs and celebration ensued while onlookers oohed and aahed at their prince’s reception.
Andy turned back to the wizard. “What did you mean when you said that vapor stream went to join Cromlech’s center?”
Mermin motioned toward the mechanism, drying more moisture from his face. “This is Oomaldee’s center. When I was a small boy, it looked and moved as you’re seeing it. That was when Carta, Cwomlech, and Oomaldee coopewated. When the curse fell on our land, it stopped turning and the vapor ceased. I’d lost hope of ever seeing it work again. That vapor has ventured off to find its complement at the Giant’s Wing, Cwomlech’s center.” Mermin’s voice cracked as he finished, “Andy, you have westored this land’s center…after all these years.”
A chill ran up Andy’s spine as the onlookers collectively bowed to him. Mermin, Alden, and Hannah followed suit.
Andy opened his mouth to protest, but a voice in his head speaking Father’s wisdom interrupted: “Don’t stop them. Remember, they need someone they respect to give them hope.”
MiniMe, you’re back!
“That I am.”
I don’t feel comfortable with everyone bowing to me. It’s not just them. Everyone’s doing it.
“They’re showing you the honor due you as their future sovereign. Everyone’s afraid. Abaddon’s destroying all they hold dear. Let them do what is familiar and brings comfort,” MiniMe encouraged.
Andy gazed across those gathered. “Rise, please.”
Many more servants had trickled into the courtyard, drawn by the goings-on. Andy’s heart grew heavy as he noted more bulging eyes and beak-like noses. I don’t get it. Mermin has part of the stone of Athanasia, which should prevent Abaddon from turning the staff. And what about those discs he produced? They’re not preventing it either.
Andy scanned those gathered, making eye contact with most. He longed to encourage them, to tell them how committed he was to restoring normalcy to their lives. “We are as strong as the love we share with each other. You’ve heard me say that before. I really believe it. Despite everyone’s best efforts, several of you have been turned.”
Trevig shifted along with several others bearing bird-like features.
“Abaddon has offered a reward to you if you’ll turn each other over to his minions. Of course you know what will happen.”
Several heads bobbed.
“He wants to divide us, to pit us against each other. He knows that if he succeeds, we pose no threat to him—those who have not been turned might just as well surrender now. He wins.”
Andy’s eyes swept the crowd.
“He has paraded the King before you in an effort to make you lose hope. Who wants to give in? Who wants to let him
win? It is the easiest path.”
No one made a sound. Every eye locked on Andy.
“By your silence, I take it you’re willing to stand up and fight. Fight for each other and fight for our kingdom!”
Murmurs rose.
“We are in for a rough time. You think life is hard now. I believe Abaddon is just getting started. He sold himself to evil forces that empower him to who knows what end. With this power he transformed Fides, a mage of light, into a tool of darkness. He will throw everything he has at us. Word of our resolve will reach him and he will redouble his efforts. Some of us standing here today may not live to see him defeated.” Andy paused. “So should we give up?”
“No!” one voice shouted, then another and another echoed.
“Then we must band together and support each other. Only as a unified front loving each other do we stand a chance of defeating him! You’ve seen our first victory.” Andy motioned toward Oomaldee’s center, puffing away. “It’s time we changed our course and dealt Abaddon a few setbacks. My next task will be to rescue the King!”
Several shifted back and forth, others nodded. A few gave tentative smiles.
“I know attempts have been made, but I have another way. I hope to have good news to report within the week.”
The staff clapped, reveling in new possibilities. “We support you!” “Bring back the king!” “Go, Prince Andrew!”
A mix of determination and excitement washed over Andy. I fixed the heart. Time to rescue Father!
CHAPTER SEVEN
Skeletons in the Closet?
“Where are Regents Bellum and Cronkar?” Andy asked Mermin, Alden, and Hannah. Regent Bellum led Oomaldee’s army, while Cronkar directed the cavalry.
“Regent Cronkar should be this way,” Alden said, taking the lead. “The cavalry is being housed here at Castle Ferrin since their barracks was overrun. And because they don’t have their mounts, the army is training them for combat as foot soldiers.”
“Mermin,” Andy asked as they walked, “why are so many folks turned? What happened to the discs you were distributing?”
“All the wesources I need to pwoduce them were lost when we abandoned Castle Avalon.”
“You can’t get more?”
“I can’t seem to work out the wecipe again. I continue twying though.”
“But what about the stone of Athanasia? Everyone in the castle should be protected from Abaddon, right?”
“It seems there’s an incompatibility between the stone and the discs. With more discs awound, the stone’s power is diminished.” The wizard shook his head. “I fixed one pwoblem, only to cweate another.”
Andy patted Mermin’s shoulder reassuringly as they headed through a different tunnel opposite the one Andy and Trevig had used earlier. The sounds of clashing metal echoed down the stone corridor as they neared a portcullis. It grumbled open and Andy stepped into an area unlike anything he’d seen at Castle Avalon.
A sea of sweaty, bare-chested men sparred in pairs, swords clashing. Shouts of encouragement and correction mingled in a cacophony of instruction. Andy spotted Major Cahill, an officer turned vulture-man, intent in a match. The wiry, bouncy Private Boingderban, who had once offered Andy a nonsensical solution for catching pixies, seemed to have lost some of his bounce as he dueled the major.
“Try it again. Ringsnold, I don’t want to see you drop your arm. It’ll get you killed.” An instructor near them took leave of his charges and approached. “Mermin! How can I help you?”
The officer turned his gaze on Andy and recognition dawned. “Prince Andrew.” He took a knee and bowed.
“Rise, please.” Andy resisted the urge to fidget. “What’s your name?”
“Major Brickenden, my prince.”
“Major, where can I find Regent Cronkar or Bellum?”
“Regent Cronkar has gone to Oops for the day. He’s expected back at sundown. Regent Bellum is reviewing troops up in Oohhh. He’s not due back until day after tomorrow. Is there something I can do for you?”
Argh! Father’s being tortured and… The temptation to circumvent the chain of command raised its head. I can’t. I’ll create distrust. Andy exhaled loudly. He’d learned his lesson from Captain Baldric a couple years before. No matter how good his intentions, he would respect the military.
“I’d like a word with them when they get back.” Andy tried to hide his annoyance at the delay.
“It shall be done, my prince!” The major saluted and returned to his coaching.
Mermin begged leave to attend to other duties.
“Well, since we can’t move forward with the King’s rescue—” Alden said, drawing a frown from Andy.
“Andy, you’ve got to see the throne room!” Hannah redirected. “It’s amazing!”
Andy held onto his frustration but forced a smile. “Lead the way.”
They headed back through the tunnel and turned right at a service stairway just before reentering the courtyard.
“We haven’t found any hidden passageways yet,” Alden informed. “But we’re still looking.” He shared a conspiratorial look with Hannah. “Servants’ quarters are on the ground floor. They’re nice. My mom and I have a lot more room.”
“The great hall and kitchens are on this floor,” Hannah said as they passed the second level.
Andy froze as they turned right at the next landing. Alden and Hannah grinned.
“Whoa…” Andy couldn’t believe the sight before him as he scanned walls extending the length of a football field in either direction. The walls stretched two stories into a dramatic meeting with the vaulted ceiling. Sunlight danced through small windows at the intersection of the arch and walls. Accents of silver and amethyst adorned the length, along with enormous paintings in opulent frames and ornate tapestries.
“Come on,” Hannah encouraged.
Andy stopped to examine one of the rich tapestries. It told a story: a king holding a scroll stood before a white throne. Scholars and scribes at tables around the room worked diligently as the sovereign motioned toward a black mountain visible through a gothic arched window to his left. When Andy looked closely, he could make out a company of mermen before the mountain.
“I think that’s the beginning of Oomaldee’s library,” Alden said.
“It’s amazing.” Andy’s voice was little more than a whisper. He leaned closer.
“I never get tired of looking at these. It’s the history of Oomaldee,” Hannah added, giving a slow shake of her head.
“But wait ‘til you see…” Alden laughed, straining to open a pair of hulking, silver-embossed doors that beckoned at one end of the room.
“There’s more?”
While this room and its accoutrements were amazing in their own right, nothing could have prepared Andy for the sight that waited. He sucked in a breath, taking tentative steps.
Silver scrollwork with inlaid amethyst accents covered the white marble floor and rounded walls. Although muted by fog, the morning sunshine begged to be part of the display. Through polished amethyst crystals accenting the silver dome, it showered the room with a spray of purple that shifted and moved, reflecting off the haze as it drifted by outside.
My ancestors built this. Andy couldn’t miss the statement of wealth and abundance. He wasn’t sure what to think. While he came from an upper middle class home, this was a whole other matter. Such excess. Castle Avalon isn’t like this; it’s almost rustic in comparison. Andy ran a hand up and down his arm, ill at ease.
The apex of a gaping window that overlooked mist-shrouded treetops rose to the left. Before the fog, I wonder if they could see the whole kingdom from here.
Andy stopped before two white marble thrones on a dais at the end of the room. The right one was larger than the left. My ancestors sat here. Andy’s skin tingled.
“You should sit.” Alden motioned with his head.
Andy stared at the thrones for several minutes but remained frozen in place. Despite the assurances given with ea
ch part of the heart he’d collected, he couldn’t work up the courage to step forward. I’ll never be like them. Ruling an entire kingdom… Andy felt like someone had put five-hundred-pound weights on his shoulders.
He didn’t know if Alden and Hannah understood his hesitance, but they offered no objections when he redirected, “I don’t know why Father doesn’t have a throne like this at Castle Avalon. Speaking of which…”
Andy plopped down on the middle of three steps leading up the dais and held court. “I’ve got a plan to rescue Father, but I need to hear what’s been happening before I can know if it’ll work.”
Alden nodded. “I went with Trevig to get wood in Oops last week. That dome Abaddon created is still in place over the castle. When the sun shines you can see it.”
“My dad was in Oops yesterday,” Hannah added. “He said Abaddon paraded the King around the city again. Dark bruises cover his face, but he thought his majesty seemed to be walking better than two weeks ago.”
“That’s good news,” Andy agreed.
“So what’s your plan?” Hannah leaned forward.
“If that dome is still there, I’ll have to go in alone again since I’m the only one who can use the gold key. Once I find Father and bring him out, the trick will be getting away unnoticed.”
“It’s not going to be easy,” Hannah fretted. “With Fides, not to mention more and more zolt about—”
“That’s the only part I haven’t worked out yet,” Andy admitted, pulling a hand to the back of his neck. “The regents tried rescuing him before but couldn’t get through the barrier. I figured they’d planned this part of the mission and would advise me.”
“That makes sense,” Hannah agreed.
“Yeah, I don’t know what that plan was either,” Alden said.
With no easy solution at hand other than waiting for the regents’ return, Hannah said, “Well, I need to get back to the laundry. I told my mom I’d be back shortly. I’m late. Even though everyone’s working as hard as they can, it takes longer to wash the clothes without all the modern conveniences.”