Other Worlds: Vesta Mansion Trilogy - Book Two - Fantasy

by P. A. Priddey

  The six great ladies, Adair, and the elves with power, decided to protect everyone on the elf world as well as those in the mansion, and the castle from the Enchanters charms. This would take nearly a week, and as they believed those in the castle were the most vulnerable, they started there first.

  ~~~~

  The hooded figure stared at the castle where he could sense the presence of elves, and decided to have fun with them. The humans there would also suffer. He also decided they could shoot themselves. Yes, that would be best. The look on their faces when they saw it was their loved ones shooting them, Dagur smiled. The humans were easy to enchant. I will get them to restrain the elves as it will be much more fun to torture them while they are awake and fully aware. The dark elf laughed to himself and watched the castle some more.

  ‘Are you going to let us in on your plan,’ said a huge misshapen figure beside him.

  ‘I may, and I might also let you have some fun,’ said Dagur. ‘Would you like some fun, Greytooth?’

  ‘I told you that’s not my name,’ the troll spat.

  Dagur scowled. ‘And I told you I cannot pronounce your name, now do you want fun or not?’

  ‘What fun are you talking about?’ said Greytooth.

  ‘The castle, I can smell elves in there, as well as the humans which have hunted your kind.’

  ‘How will we get in, they have weapons?’

  ‘I will ask them to open the doors for us, and if that fails we can break it down.’

  ‘We will need more than two of us for that.’

  ‘Then go back and get some of the stupid ogres and goblins, it will not matter if they get killed.’

  Greytooth nodded. ‘Yes, I can get the ones I don’t like, but the other trolls won’t be happy.’

  ‘They will do whatever I tell them,’ said Dagur. ‘It is time for them to stop hiding.’

  ‘They’re frightened of their weapons.’

  ‘After we kill everyone in the castle I will show them a world that does not have weapons and the trolls can feast day and night.’

  ‘Can I eat an elf?’ Greytooth asked.

  ‘Only if he’s alive.’

  CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

  Castle Under Siege

  Alex struggled to sleep over the next week, with his mind on Dagur and how to find him. He believed the dark elf would be his biggest threat yet, and was determined he would not hurt any more of his friends. He blamed himself for what happened to Carrie, and the guilt kept him awake every night since. Tonight he did sleep, albeit a couple of hours. Alex dreamt he was on the castle wall again, fighting the creatures, only this time he was on the walls of the castle of the Order. It was the same creatures climbing the walls as in his other dream. He woke; it was the middle of the night, and climbed out of bed.

  Why are you getting dressed at this time of night? House asked.

  ‘I need to go to the castle.’

  What now? You have hardly slept.

  ‘Yeah, I know, but need to go, as I had a dream,’ said Alex, and vanished only to appear in the hall of the castle. Security guards, dressed in black uniforms, looked startled when they saw him.

  ‘My lord,’ said one of the guards, ‘is there a problem?’

  Alex rubbed his eyes. ‘Have you had any trouble tonight?

  ‘No, my lord, it’s been quiet,’ said the blonde haired guard.

  ‘What is your name, soldier?’

  ‘Anton, my lord.’

  Alex wanted to say something about being called “my lord” but gave up. ‘Well, Anton, will you show me to the roof or wherever the highest view from here is.’

  ‘Of course, this way,’ said Anton, and led him to a lift. Alex could see more soldiers now, and three joined them in the lift. It took less than a minute to reach the roof. It was an old castle with battlements. The roof was flat and reinforced, and Alex made his way to where he could see the mountains.

  ‘My lord, would you like a spotlight?’ said Anton.

  ‘No thank you, I can see well enough without one,’ said Alex, with his eyes glowing red, and some of the soldiers backed away.

  ~~~~

  ‘How is he there?’ Dagur growled, and cursed loudly.

  ‘Who’s there?’ said Greytooth.

  ‘Their leader, the one I tried to have killed.’

  ‘Let us kill him now, and be done with it,’ the troll spat.

  ‘And you would be dead before you knew what happened. We have to get back through the portal, and wait until he has gone.’

  ‘How will we know when he’s gone?’

  ‘I will know, I can sense his presence.’

  ~~~~

  ‘My lord, what’s going on?’ said Henrik, running along the walkway while sorting out his clothes. Victor and Leif followed, both doing the same.

  Alex stood on the edge of the battlements. ‘I saw the castle under attack from trolls and ogres.’

  ‘There’s nothing there now, my lord,’ said Victor.

  ‘My visions don’t always mean now, it could be any time soon. I can sense them up there,’ he said, and flew from the castle wall straight to the mountains, leaving all at the castle watching quite stunned.

  Should I go and get the others first? House asked.

  Alex slowed and landed on the mountain. ‘Only if we find anything, there’s no point waking up everyone if they’ve already gone.’

  Something was here.

  ‘Yeah, the air reeks of them,’ said Alex, not knowing how he knew. ‘There’s a stench I’ve never smelled before. There must be a portal here somewhere.’

  I cannot see one.

  ‘No, they must have closed it.’

  Do you want to fly back or should I do the honours?

  ‘What do you think? I did enjoy the flying.’

  Then you should fly around the mountain before you go back to the castle.

  ‘Are you serious?’

  Yes, I also like flying.

  ‘OK, I’ll race you,’ said Alex, and flew off before he finished the sentence.

  That is cheating.

  ‘I do apologise,’ he said, as he rounded the mountain. He felt the cool air on his face and wondered why he didn’t do this more often, and arrived at the castle way too soon.

  You cheated, and I still won.

  ‘How do I know you flew and did not use the vase?’ said Alex, suspiciously.

  You do not.

  Victor looked over the wall. ‘Are we in danger my lord?’

  ‘Not at the moment they’ve gone. They were there, and so is the portal somewhere on that mountain.’

  ‘Anton, double the guard, no triple it,’ Henrik ordered.

  ‘What should we do?’ said Leif.

  ‘Just be extra vigilant,’ said Alex. ‘I will stay here until the sun rises, and I suggest you go back to bed. I don’t believe anything will happen during the day.’

  Victor stared at the mountain. ‘I don’t think I will be able to sleep now.’

  ‘House will help anyone who needs to sleep.’

  ‘Is it that serious?’ said Henrik.

  ‘Do you remember the troll we defeated?’

  ‘It will take a long time before I forget it.’

  ‘The one I saw in my dream was just as big.’

  Henrik raised an eyebrow. ‘We better get the bigger weapons out.’

  ‘If you’ve got any patrols out there it might be good idea to bring them home,’ said Alex, and heard a loud clanking noise.

  Victor peered over the castle wall. ‘Those are steel shutters going over the windows on this side of the castle.’

  Leif wrapped his arms around himself. ‘Will you take my wife back to the mansion with you when you go?’

  Alex nodded. ‘Of course, but do not wake her yet.’

  Alex sat on the wall and stared ahead into the darkness, hoping the dark elf would return. Although Carrie hadn’t been injured, he knew it hurt her. Dagur had the aid of creatures which threatened all his friends, and he wasn’t goin
g to allow that. Alex felt exhausted and needed sleep, but refused to leave the wall. If the elf came back he would be waiting.

  You should go home, said House, I can watch and let you know if anything happens.

  Alex shook his head. ‘I need to be here, this is my Order.’

  What you need is sleep.

  ‘I can sleep during the day as the battle happens at night.’

  You are too tired to fight many.

  ‘I am fine and will destroy whatever comes out of the portal.’

  Alex sat in silence until the sun rose and walked back into the castle. Sarah Larson was the only one of the adults leaving, and very reluctantly, but she was pregnant and Leif insisted. Eight children stood waiting to leave with them.

  ‘I’ll return later, but let me know immediately if anything happens.’

  The smallest of the children held a teddy bear and looked up at him. ‘Are we gonna be away for long?’

  Alex picked the little boy up. ‘No, not very long, but don’t worry, as I’m sure the children will love showing you around the mansion.’

  House took them back to the party room where most there were having breakfast. The children he brought back had the look of awe at what just happened.

  Carrie pushed her plate away and shook her head at him. ‘Where the hell were you? I waited, and House never replied.’

  James grinned. ‘This is new, you only usually come back with one child, but now you’ve got eight and a pregnant woman.’

  Blaze raised an eyebrow. ‘What’s going on, Alex?’

  ‘Sarah,’ said Ron, walking over to his daughter, as did the children to see their new friends.

  Alex groaned. ‘You had to put us in this room.’

  Yes, it seemed appropriate, as you did cheat, said House.

  ‘I’m quite sure I would’ve won if you didn’t cheat.’

  Maybe, but you all need breakfast.

  Claire shook her head. ‘Are you on something, mister?’

  Alex put the little boy down. ‘No, but right now it might help.’

  ‘Papa, can we show them around?’ said Adhara.

  Alex sat down next to Carrie. ‘After they’ve had something to eat as they’ve not had breakfast yet.’

  Carrie turned to him. ‘Did you spend the night at the castle?’

  Alex yawned. ‘Yeah, I had a dream.’

  ‘I’m sorry if I’m keeping you awake, but is everything OK over there?’

  Alex poured himself a strong coffee. ‘For now, I stayed until the sun came up, and brought Sarah and the children back to keep safe.’

  James picked up a slice of toast. ‘What was your dream about?’

  ‘The castle was under attack from those I saw in my other dream.’

  James shook his head. ‘And you never told us?

  ‘I had to check it out first, and I didn’t want to ruin your beauty sleep.’

  ‘That’s unkind.’

  Alex gave a tired smile. ‘If they were there, House would’ve come back for you, but they had gone when we got there.’

  ‘Where did they go?’

  ‘I believe there’s a portal to their world in the mountains near the castle.’

  ‘How long were you there?’ said Paige.

  Alex shrugged. ‘I don’t know it was dark, and I think I panicked them somewhat.’

  It was one in the morning, said House.

  Luella raised an eyebrow. ‘What have you been doing since then?’

  Alex took a sip of his coffee. ‘I went looking for them, flew around the mountain, and stood watch.’

  ‘I thought they were your Order,’ said James, ‘who are meant to look after your interests.’

  ‘And if I don’t protect them . . . who will?’

  Luella shot him a stern look. ‘Maybe they will be fine without you, as they do have their own army after all.’

  ‘I dreamt it, and that means I will be there.’

  ‘But not today,’ said Carrie.

  ‘I don’t know when, but it’ll be soon.’

  ‘No, I meant it won’t be today, as you’re going to bed.’

  Alex shook his head. ‘I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me.’

  ‘No,’ said Luella. ‘You’ll go to bed; you’re in no fit condition to help anyone.’

  James stared at Alex. ‘There’s something else you’re not telling us. You could be up all night and not be this tired.’

  Alex has had four hours sleep in the last week, said House.

  Alex stared upwards. ‘Thanks for that.’

  Luella put her hand on Alex’s forehead. ‘There’s nothing wrong with you is there?’

  ‘No, Mother, I just couldn’t sleep.’

  ‘What have you been doing?’

  ‘Just thinking, I’ve been doing a lot of that lately.’

  ‘Thinking about what?’

  ‘Certain things that keep going around in my head, it’s been keeping me awake,’ he said, which got him an accusing look from Luella.

  ‘You’ll do as your mother says and go to bed,’ said Blaze. ‘You’re surrounded by very capable people here.’

  Carrie grinned. ‘Come on, dear, I’ll help you up those long stairs.’

  ‘You only have yourself to blame,’ James chided. ‘You know you’re going to bed.’

  Alex sighed. ‘Then you can find some way of helping to defend the castle in case we need to get there quickly.’

  ‘I’m already on it.’ James stood up and finished his coffee. ‘House, can you take me to the elf world?’ he said, and vanished.

  ‘Come on, mister, let’s get you tucked in,’ said Carrie, ‘and I’ll sit with you until you’re asleep.’

  Most of them sat at the tables grinned at him as they left, and Alex shook his head. ‘I can manage on my own you know.’

  ‘I now, but I have to make sure you do as your told.’

  Alex climbed the stairs with the help of Carrie, not that he needed the help, and collapsed on his bed without getting undressed. ‘I’ll be OK now.’

  ‘Are you leaving your clothes on?’ said Carrie.

  ‘Yeah, if something happens at the castle I want to be there straight away,’ said Alex, as there was no way he was stripping off in front of her, as much as he wanted to.

  ~~~~

  ‘Take your top off, it won’t take that long,’ she said, and smiled at him, who was now asleep. She resisted the temptation to get on the bed with him, but kissed him instead and left the room. She walked back into the party room and stared at the others.

  Claire smiled ‘That was quick, my lady.’

  ‘He fell asleep, and we need to train.’

  ‘You’re always training,’ said Luella, ‘why the urgency?’

  ‘Alex’s dream for one, and what we’ll be fighting. The battle might not be here, but we will be at the battle.’

  ~~~~

  James found Fergal and Roth before they went in search for Torgon. House told him he was having breakfast at the Brightstone tavern. Adair and Thalion were also there when James told them about Alex’s dream.

  ‘Alex stood guard all night?’ said Adair, somewhat amazed.

  ‘Yes, his dream was quite vivid.’

  Adair rubbed his eyes. ‘He’s taking it all too personally.’

  James nodded. ‘We have a chance here to change that.’

  Torgon leant back in his chair. ‘We have soldiers ready.’

  ‘We should send a squad to the castle,’ said Thalion, ‘and strengthen its defences.’

  Roth stood with his big arms folded. ‘I will take a few gnomes.’

  Thalion picked a mug up off the table. ‘What about the battle at the other castle in his dream, shouldn’t that be the one we fight first?’

  Adair shook his head. ‘We changed things when we put elves in the castle, and your old enemy knows they’re there. I believe we should go and take a look at this mountain.’

  James leant on the back of a chair. ‘Choose who you want to go and bring them to th
e mansion.’

  It was an hour later when twenty armoured elves all with bows, and ten gnomes who each had an axe appeared at the castle. House had already informed the Order.

  Victor welcomed them. ‘My lords, it is an honour that you’ve come to aid us.’

  Torgon clasped his hands together. ‘As long as you don’t believe we are trying to take over.’

  ‘Not at all, the soldiers here are all looking forward to see the skill of an elf archer, and the power and speed of a gnome.’

  Henrik nodded in agreement. ‘Where would you like to go first?’

  ‘To the roof, Major,’ said James. It took a few trips to get them all up there, it was a large lift but gnomes are heavy.

  Adair stared over the wall and saw a forest between the castle and the mountain. ‘Is that the mountain?’

  Henrik stepped over to the battlements. ‘Yes, great wizard, Lord Alex flew to it in the early hours.’

  Adair studied the mountain in unspoken thought and turned to the others. ‘There’s something there, I can sense it.’

  Torgon nodded. ‘We will have to take a closer look after the battle.’

  ‘This wall is quite defendable,’ said James, as he gingerly looked over the side to a long drop.

  ‘Yes,’ said Henrik, ‘and if they try another wall they will not have the cover of the forest to hide where we could easily pick them off.’

  ‘We’re under your command,’ said Roth.

  ‘That will be an honour.’

  James studied the defences. ‘You should have more than enough to defend this place for now, but if anything does happen let us know.’

  Henrik smiled. ‘Of course, and when this is over I have a proposal for you, General.’

  ‘I’m listening, but I’m not really a general.’

  Henrik ignored the last comment. ‘What do you think about war games, the forest down there would be ideal? It may not be the best time to mention such a thing, but I believe my men could learn much from it.’

  ‘What weapons would you be using?’ said Torgon.

  ‘Just the paint ball guns.’