The Map Maker's Choice

by Matthew J. Krengel

  “Here, let me get the running lights on,” Lenny said to Jane. He motioned for her to take the wheel and pointed out to the north. “There’s a compass on the dash. Just keep us going north for now.” Silvery moonlight bathed the lake, joined by the stars, making it easy to keep the boat running in a straight line.

  “Will he be waiting for us when we return?” Jacob asked Eriunia. He finally pulled himself upright and looked back toward shore. The black wolves seemed to have vanished.

  “Possibly,” Eriunia replied. “I’m not sure how it got there, but that wolf will haunt this area until someone kills it or sends it back across the Divide.”

  “All right, Jacob,” Lenny said over the roar of the motor. “Start telling me what is going on here.”

  Jacob looked over at Jane and she nodded to him, as did Eriunia.

  “Well you see, it all started a couple of months back . . .”

  17: Lake of the Woods

  How’s the gas holding out?” Jacob asked. They were roaring across the lake and he worried they might run short of fuel long before reaching the island.

  “I think we’re good,” Lenny replied. “It’s got a ten-gallon tank, and the gauge indicated it was almost full when we started. The engine ran a little rough when we first moved away from the docks, but I found a bottle of Seafoam in one of the compartments and added it to the fuel.” After about five minutes the engine had smoothed out, and they were able to run with the throttle wide open.

  “We’re getting closer,” Coronia commented. She sat in the bow of the boat with the wind whipping her hair out behind her. The air felt good, and she relished the speed with which they were moving. It made her heart beat a bit faster and her breath quicken.

  Eriunia sat next to her, watching the lake ahead of them for any other unpleasant surprises, but so far they were in the clear.

  “I think it’s about twenty-five miles to Garden Island from where we started out,” Lenny shouted over the roar of the engine. “We should be there in another ten or fifteen minutes—that is, if we managed to stay on course.”

  “I think we’re fine so far,” Coronia shouted back to him. She worried they were disturbing the fish under them, but she saw no help for that. A particularly large northern had shadowed them for a bit but he’d finally moved off. She held up her left hand. “Tell him to move to the left a little.”

  Eriunia leaned back and talked to Lenny, and Coronia felt the boat shift ever so slightly.

  “Perfect,” Coronia shouted, smiling. “She’s straight ahead of us.”

  Soon, the southern side of Garden Island came into view. Five minutes later, Lenny dropped the throttle back to an idle. Sand and rocks crunched as he motored the boat up the western shore and then beached it carefully, trying to avoid ruining the propeller.

  “Tie it off on the log,” Lenny called to Jacob. He waited until Jacob had jumped out and secured the bow of the boat before cutting the motor completely. “All ashore.”

  He and the others clambered out of the boat and onto the beach. Jane let out a big yawn, but Coronia seemed excited. “Come on. We can sleep when we get to her house,” Coronia said. She grabbed Jane and smiled. “It’s been a long time since any of my kind has seen her. She’s the last of the royal line of Atlantis and the last survivor of that land. She’s a descendent of an ancient and noble people.”

  “Oh, come on. Atlantis is a myth,” Lenny said. “Made up by Plato to amuse people. Or, at most, it was based on one of the cities near Greece. I read a lot of history books.” He shook his head at the girl.

  “He doesn’t know, Coronia,” Jacob said quietly. “I can explain it to him some other time.” Even with his explanation of the night’s events, he knew Lenny would take a long time to fully understand.

  The beach was fairly clean of driftwood. A line of trees curved with the beach, but then to the east swung inland and ran along the edges of a marshy area. When Jacob looked at his watch, he noticed it was two in the morning.

  “I think we should get some rest,” Jacob said.

  “I agree,” Eriunia replied. “Finding her cabin in the woods will be difficult at night.” The night was warm, so they all picked spots in the sand and worked their bodies into comfort.

  “Not the most comfortable thing I’ve ever slept on, but it’ll work,” Lenny grumbled from his chosen place in the sand.

  Jacob snickered and picked up a small branch. He tossed it in Lenny’s direction and then dropped back down so his friend wouldn’t see who had thrown it.

  “Ouch,” Lenny erupted. “About poked my eye out.” He brushed the stick away and closed his eyes.

  Jane snuggled in next to Jacob and sighed. “At least I have a pillow,” she whispered, resting her head against his arm and closing her eyes. Despite so much going on around them, everything was right for her at the moment. Sleep came quickly for all of them, and it seemed to be the most peaceful night’s rest any of them had ever gotten.

  Bella waited until she knew everyone was asleep, and then she fluttered into the air and winged her way toward the woods. She could feel the presence of the Lady, and she wanted to speak to her in private. As the fairy approached the line of trees, an elderly woman with gray hair and sharp eyes stepped out to meet her. She wore a deep-green dress that flowed around her like silk but failed to snag on any of the underbrush. The cloak over the dress was of a thicker material, a deep brown that seemed to catch the shadows and weave them around her in a camouflage that would never be broken unless she wanted it to be. On her head sat a small tiara with a deep-green emerald.

  “I hid the book just like you said, Evelion,” Bella said proudly. With a burst of her wings she leapt up to the Lady’s outstretched hand and settled into a sitting position with her legs folded under her.

  “Good,” Evelion replied. She smiled at the eager young fairy. “Tasker trusted that you would be able to handle that little problem without alerting anyone. You must never tell anyone where it’s hidden, unless Tasker or I tell you to. It’s too much information for anyone to handle safely.” Evelion looked out to where the others were sleeping peacefully under her watchful eye. “Are they taking good care of you?”

  “Oh, yes, mistress,” Bella replied. “Jane is a wonderful girl, and Jacob is so funny the way he tries to act so brave. Eriunia is a bit serious at times, but she’s nice, and Coronia is as sweet a mermaid as you can find. They want so badly to find and rescue Tasker. I think the Adherents could really be stopped this time.”

  “That would be wonderful,” Evelion replied. “Too many good people decided to stay out of the struggle last time, and evil prevailed for a long time. Many people suffered because of it. I think our side of the Divide has been given another chance to get things right. If we fail to take advantage of this opportunity, our time may pass completely.”

  “Will you help them find the place they seek?” Bella asked. She knew that Evelion had in her possession information that could help reveal the place where the machine generating the Divide was located. Protecting this knowledge was something she took seriously and was why she was living here, hiding from the Adherents. She knew they sought her, wanting to use her special skills for their purposes.

  “I’ll point them in the direction they need to go,” Evelion replied. “Sadly, I can’t tell them exactly what to do or precisely where to go because it was never fully revealed to me. My great-great-grandmother helped devise the Divide, and even as long-lived as the Atlantians are, they don’t live forever. Knowledge faded, and things many thought would never be forgotten were lost to time.”

  “I hope we are in time,” Bella said. She yawned loudly and rested back against Evelion soft fingers. “I think I’m getting tired.”

  “Go back to them, little one,” Evelion encouraged. She raised her hand so Bella could take flight. “Go back and get some rest. I’ll have my fri
ends watch over you. No harm will come to you this night.”

  Bella flew off, back to where Jane was nestled up against Jacob. After looking at all five of the people gathered around, she curled up in the crook of Coronia’s arm and drifted off to sleep.

  * * * * *

  Puck knew he was in trouble the moment he started to wake up and found his arms tied securely together behind his back. He could feel the rocking motion of the wagon he was in, and he knew where they were taking him. The old world held dangers for him, as he had made many enemies. They were taking him to a most ancient place, built thousands of years ago in Britannia. The circle of stones was a place of deep mystery and power. A meeting ground for the Seeli Council, guarded by the Stone Watchers, it was the most protected place in their world. Puck raised his head and looked out from the wagon bed. He could tell from the smells around him and the voices he heard that they were close. A few hours at most, and he would be taken before the ancient powers. He had to be ready to plead his case and convince them that the world was in the greatest of dangers.

  * * * * *

  Jane woke the next morning feeling as rested as if she had slept for two days. The sun was just starting to peek over the trees, and she felt a few blades of grass rustling against her jeans. A light breeze came off the lake. She sat up slowly, not wanting to wake everyone else just yet. To her surprise, a cheery fire burned in a small depression hollowed in the sand. Above it was a tripod with metal legs and a large pan hanging over the flames.

  “I thought you might be hungry when you awoke, so I cooked you some breakfast.”

  Jane whirled to where the voice came and spotted a woman of indeterminate age sitting on a fallen log smiling at her. She was dressed in a long flowing dress and a cloak. Jane instantly took a liking to her.

  “Who are you?” Jane asked. The smells coming from the pan were heavenly. She spotted diced potatoes and bits of sausage mounded around scrambled eggs. A small tin pan held enough biscuits for everyone.

  “I am the Lady of Woods Lake,” Evelion said. She smiled and motioned to a stack of wooden plates near the cooking fire. “But on this side of the Divide, I’m just an odd old woman who lives in a cottage in the woods.”

  Jane filled her plate and walked over to a heavy driftwood log. She sat down and started eating with gusto, only then really realizing how hungry she was. The others awoke over the next couple of minutes and after several more confused introductions, they all settled in to eat.

  When no one was looking, Bella hid herself in Jacob’s pocket. Lenny may have been introduced to the idea of another world, but there was no telling what his reaction would be to a real fairy.

  “These are the best eggs I have ever eaten,” Jacob said around a mouthful of food. He thought he detected a hint of spicy sausage and something else he couldn’t put his finger on in the mixture.

  “I second that,” Lenny agreed. He reached for another helping, but Eriunia beat him to the serving spoon and he was forced to wait.

  “We came here hoping you could answer a few questions for us,” Coronia said finally. She had been silent as she ate, but now she took the lead.

  “I assumed as much,” Evelion replied. “One of my ancestors was involved with the construction of the machine that powers the Divide. She called it the Antikytheran Device.”

  “Wait a minute,” Lenny burst out. “I’ve heard of that. It’s the oldest computer ever devised. They brought it up off a ship in the Mediterranean Sea.”

  “I’ve also heard of this ‘computer’ device you speak of,” Evelion said. “Wonderful stores of knowledge your world has at its fingertips. Within a matter of moments, any bit of knowledge can be called up and researched. But the Antikytheran Device you’re thinking of, the one on this side of the Divide, is but a small shadow of what my ancestors constructed so long ago.”

  “Is the Temple behind this?” Jane asked.

  “Yes and no,” Evelion replied. “I have many sources of information and the Temple does believe they are pulling the strings, but the assassin is not following their plan. The Temple seeks to alter the device so all the people on this side of the Divide are suddenly whisked to the other side. At the same time, they plan to transport their own people to this side. Think of it—a fertile world filled with factories, crops, and natural resources all laid out for their use.”

  Jane and Jacob stared at each other in horror as the thought of what would happen if the Adherents succeeded. Their entire world would be wiped out in a single moment, and the Adherents would have free rein to pillage this side and build their horrendous version of civilization here.

  “Can we stop them?” Jacob asked quietly.

  “You can, but it’ll be dangerous,” Evelion replied. “I’ve tried to see what the future holds for both sides, but it’s unclear. I do know a great sacrifice will have to take place, and the one who decides won’t survive.”

  “What does that mean?” Eriunia asked. She knew the skill of the Lady of Woods Lake lay in catching glimpses of the future, but this was so vague. So many things remained unanswered.

  “I don’t know,” Evelion replied. “What I do know is that you must find the Antikytheran Chamber and stop the assassin before he’s able to complete his plans.”

  “How?” Jane replied. “I mean, we don’t even know where to start looking.”

  “It’s nearer than you think,” Evelion replied. “I don’t know the exact location, but I can point you in the right direction. Why don’t you come with me to my cabin? I’ll spin you the tale as it was told to me.”

  18: The Lady of Woods Lake

  Jane and the others gathered the remains of breakfast together and made sure the fire was completely out. When they had their few possessions in hand, they followed Evelion up the beach and into a narrow strip of tall grass. It seemed to Jane she was following no particular path but simply walking where her feet took her. As they approached the forest, Evelion found an opening between two trees, and they entered another world under the canopy of leaves. The undergrowth was thick and a vibrant shade of green. The tree cover grew thickly on each side of the narrow trail, and Evelion still seemed to be walking in no particular direction. The path wandered back and forth. After about ten minutes of walking they entered a shallow ravine with steep, rocky walls. Moss and lichen grew on the rocks and drips of water fell all around the path, making it sound like they were walking in a soft rainshower. For Jane it felt like taking a step into another time and place, a secluded hideaway beyond the bustle of normal life.

  “Peaceful,” Jane whispered.

  “I know,” Jacob said back. He kept his voice as low as he could, but he still felt like he was disturbing the natural flow of the forest around them. The trail was a narrow strip of dirt covered with animal tracks and lined now on each side with a thick growth of ferns. They had literally entered a small corner of the world where the magic of the other side managed to hang on despite the Divide.

  In the middle of the ravine stood a trio of massive oak trees that curled and spread until they provided a canopy over a timber-and-stone cottage. The thick canopy of oak leaves opened up over two small plots to provide light for gardens that grew vegetables and grain in abundance. The cottage reminded Jane of a New England-style house. Even the walls and roof of the cottage were covered with vines and moss. A small stream wandered around the edge of the clearing, and channels from it watered the garden. Evelion led them through the clearing to the cabin. The door was made of stout planks of wood, painted a deep green and banded with thick iron straps. Even the hinges were massive and spread out like vines across the door.

  “Come in,” Evelion said. She led them inside.

  Jane couldn’t help but stare when she crossed the threshold. It seemed like the cottage was much bigger on the inside. A wide-open space pulled double duty as a living area and kitchen. A table against th
e wall suggested that Evelion probably used it as a dining room, too. A set of stone stairs led up to a loft area, which was also wide open. Evelion’s bed stood against the wall upstairs, surrounded with a sheer curtain that provided a bit of privacy.

  “Over here,” Evelion said. She walked to the wall next to the fireplace and began to rummage through a shelf of books, all massive volumes bound in thick, dark leather.

  “Wow,” Lenny exclaimed. He stared with wide eyes. “It’s like a house out of the Harry Potter movies.”

  “Here it is,” Evelion said finally. She pulled a huge book, at least three inches thick, from the shelf and motioned for them to sit down. Once everyone had found a place to sit, she opened the book and started to read.

  “This is the chronicle of my great-great-great-grandmother, who helped design the Antikytheran Device,” she explained. She started reading, and soon they were all lost in the story. “‘The time has come to act. War was narrowly averted again this year and already there are rumblings between the races. The human population is growing faster than the others and the fledgling nations are demanding more land for their people. As a result of the political tension, twelve of the greatest minds of our time have come together with an express purpose. We will design a machine to harness the power of the world and separate the mundane from the magical. No longer will the worlds be one, but they will be separated. This is a vast undertaking and the cost will be immense.’”

  Evelion skipped over a few pages and continued. “‘A location was decided on today in the furthest reaches of the unexplored lands far across the oceans. It is a land rich in iron and water. A vast, long river was scouted by Meriduc the merman. He said the area is completely uninhabited. Cordun the dwarf said his people have explored the minerals deep under the ground in this area and found a place that will suit our needs. He found a vast series of chambers he calls the Soudan Labyrinth. There, in the deepest of the chambers, they discovered a well that leads straight down to a nexus point where all of the great power lines generated by the earth come together. At this point, we must build our great device.’”