The Jumper Chronicles - Quest for Merlin's Map
Page 20
“What did they choose? What abilities did they choose? Sir?” Charlie asked in vain, as the little man seemed far too preoccupied to answer him.
From inside of the coliseum he could hear the Master of Ceremony’s voice. “Here he is, our Jumper! Mr. Charlie Burrows!” The crowd exploded with applause before the little man could answer, and a spot light blinded Charlie, causing him to shield his eyes with his hand.
“Welcome, Charlie Burrows. You and your friends have found the object that has been hidden since the time of Merlin. The story that was told to us still makes my hair stand on end. Your friends have already chosen their rewards, and it is now time for you to claim yours!”
The crowd began to chant, “Claim it! Claim it!”, as the Master of Ceremony guided Charlie to the Oracle.
Well, Charlie, the Oracle spoke in his head, I told you that we would meet again. Congratulations on finding the sword. That alone would have been quite a feat, but to have recovered the working ring, and opened Merlin’s map, after all of these centuries, that is an act worthy of song and story for many years to come. But none of these people know of that, do they? What you do is not for fame or glory and because of this I shall reward you with more than I promised. You shall get whatever ability that you wish, but if you choose time travel I will give you something extra.
Are you bribing me, Oracle? Charlie laughed in his mind.
Not at all, nor am I trying to give you an incentive. I choose to reward selfless behavior.
And what is the extra something?
A surprise. Someday when you need it, it will be there for you to use. But you will have to figure out what it is on your own. That being said, Charlie, what do you choose?
I choose the ability to travel through time.
Of course you would. Then the Oracle changed to a voice that shook the entire stadium. “So be it, Time Traveler!”
The audience erupted in cheers. Marley and Mick collected Charlie, and guided him to a back room where Professor Grayson, Celli, the Twins, Joelle, Charlie’s friends and the entire council waited. As he entered they stood and applauded. A man in a long white robe with gold lace approached and embraced him.
“You are most welcome here, Charlie Burrows. I knew your father well. My name is Chief Council Member Brian Hyoid. I am the head of the body that governs the Order. The Headmaster has kept the council well informed of you and your colleagues’ deeds. You have done more for the Order today than anyone has since the time of Merlin. For this, I recognize you as High Protector of the Order of Merlin.”
He pinned a medallion on each of the four, depicting a pair of golden wings framing a silver sword. “What you have done for the Order and our cause this day will never be forgotten, and what you shall accomplish in the future we can only dream.” He bowed. “Well then, let’s not keep these four apart any longer,” All of the others, including the werecat, departed. “We will see you in the cafeteria for the feast,” called Joelle over her shoulder.
Charlie could not contain himself any longer. “What did you guys choose for your powers?”
Bailey hit him over the side of the head with her hand. “What do you think we chose, you idiot?”
“Yeah mate, the way you keep getting cut up you would not last a minute without me. Do you think I want that on my conscience?” said Mick.
“Samuel escaped, so Vali knows where my loyalties lie. I’d hate to disappoint him farther down the road. Best if he doesn’t get his hopes up.” Tillie smiled at Charlie.
“Then we’re in this all together?” said Charlie.
“Guess so,” they replied as one and walked to the dining hall, not to celebrate their victory, but to toast their friendship.
Epilogue
“You did what!?” Vali shouted, pacing back and forth in front of a multi-colored stained glass window depicting Saint George and the Dragon. The man in a dark brown cloak answered him.
“I killed him, my Lord. He failed us twice.” The man in the cloak had a cool, calculated, emotionless way about him, as if he had no fear.
“I gave no such order,” Vali said reaching a level of rage that made even the hooded man quiver. “But you did give such an order, when you asked me to recruit someone from within the school. You said that if this person failed to reach his potential I was to eliminate him. To be knocked unconscious by a mere girl of twelve…”
“He would nonetheless have made good fodder for the war to come. I need pawns right now more than generals, so that my most valuable may be saved for Ragnarok. If you had not noticed, professor, our ranks have been falling since the Burrows boy came into play. That twelve year old child causes more fear that the second coming of the Gods. We must be ready! I must have those crystals!” Vali threw his glass goblet against the wall, sending glass everywhere and leaving a blood red mark on the floor.
“The people are little more than sheep, my Lord. They do not know the power that you possess. When you have the crystals, and release the Gods from their imprisonment, the sheep will return to their Shepherd. We will have our full forces in time for the end of the nine words.”
Another hooded figure appeared in the doorway, his white robes flowing behind him as he walked. “The Order is celebrating. The clever boy publicly says he’s not going to locate the crystals, my Lord, but behind closed doors has promised to destroy them. We must eliminate the boy before he proves to be more of a threat. If the Order gains access to the crystals we, and our Gods are finished.”
Vali turned towards the stained glass window. “You have your orders. Do not let me down, or that will be your blood on my floor and wall instead of wine.”
The two men bowed and left the Lord to brood.
About the Author
W.C. Peever lives with his wife and two baby girls on the beautiful North Coast of Massachusetts. His love of the written word began in the fourth grade at The Phoenix School in Salem, Massachusetts where writing, theater and the arts were permanently ingrained into his soul. He continued his studies at Bennington College in picturesque Vermont where he began writing about Charlie, a key character in the Jumper Chronicles Series of which Quest for Merlin’s Map is the first installment.
About the Cover Artist
Kelly Amancio was born and raised in an inner city of coastal Massachusetts. She has dedicated the entirety of her young life to becoming a digital artist, and the Jumper Chronicles represents the first step in her reaching this goal. Now a published artist, she hopes to be able to give back to the community where she grew up, and help other young students realize that, although their dreams appear to be out of reach, if they dream long enough, and strive for excellence anything is possible.
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for reading books on Archive.