“I do wish I had better place for you all to sleep,” she added for the sake of the young men.
“Are you joking?” asked Necoli. “We slept so soundly we didn’t awaken until these kiddies started poking us.”
Marquen agreed. “I felt a strong presence of the Great One over this place―a blanket of serenity. I believe that is why we slept so agreeably. I feel as if I need never sleep again.”
–
After Merri and her children left them, the comrades discussed their plans and dispersed. Iviana wished to show Nimua some of her grandmother’s favorite flowers and trees, Marquen and Darist took the initiative of pulling the numerous weeds from the garden and Necoli desired nothing more than to enjoy a peaceful nap out on the soft, grassy hillock where Iviana’s cow grazed.
So, a peaceful day was planned for all until, upon Iviana and Nimua’s return, they discovered a line of people outside the cottage door. At the sight of the young women, Darist raced over to inform that most of the village was there either to bring her welcome gifts or for healing of ailments and illness.
When Iviana approached her line of neighbors, they quickly encircled her, calling out exclamations about her long absence, wondering what sorts of adventures she’d been on and how she was fairing. This was all wonderfully healing to Iviana after having been chased from the Greater Archipelagos. She merrily proceeded in examining her patients while she expounded upon all that had happened with Sir Loric and the witch-hint. She was astounded to see many of the young women sigh, wishing it had been them in her stead. Unable to understand what he had truly been like, they romanticized Iviana’s stories, stowing it away for dreaming.
By the time Iviana had bid the last of her visitors farewell, it was long past a decent supper hour and her stomach growled demandingly. Fortunately, Darist had taken the initiative of preparing a meal. She had only to enter the cottage with Marquen—who had helped with the patients—to be greeted with large plates, filled with enough food to feed far more than were living at the small cottage. Even so, Iviana rapidly cleared hers.
“I can’t believe those same people rejected you and Naphtali your whole life,” commented Nimua as they finished.
Darist nodded. “I know. Hard to believe from what we saw today.”
Iviana chuckled contentedly. “The Great One really changed things when I returned from your world. Even their memory of Naphtali is more than favorable.”
“Then the Great One will keep us safe here until... well, until…” Nimua’s words trailed off.
The others looked on in confusion, but Iviana understood. Until when? Where were they to go from there? She had led her friends from their own world into hers and in doing so may have ruined their chances of returning home. She wondered if the council had already locked the door against them—if Flynn had set the portal to deny them.
But what was to become of those within the mountain? In her cowardice, she had abandoned the people’s plight and with her absent, who was going to save them... if anyone? She held little hope Flynn would rouse from his idiocy and handle the situation as he should.
Iviana’s stomach churned with the emotions these thoughts triggered―feelings of betrayal, hopelessness and confusion. It was as if a drape had been pulled across her vision and she could no longer see a way forward.
12
Era
Era lingered upon a bench on the edge of the Atlantian dome and watched the colorful array of sea creatures glide over the protective field. It was a beautiful sight—her favorite, in fact—but it did nothing to soothe her.
Not only was she disturbed she had failed in getting anyone to take her dream seriously―which clearly explained the Chosen One’s absence from the realm―but it was maddening knowing about the prisoners and not being able to do anything for them. Even if she could get someone to believe her, she didn’t know the prison’s location, thanks to the fact she’d never been above.
The question that plagued her most was why she had been shown the mountain-prison in the first place. Why her, of all people―a girl whom no one would believe because she was only fourteen? Granted, she hadn’t attempted to tell many people. The Island Leaders were the only ones who could really do anything about it, but her parents would not allow her to see them. Without their support, the leaders probably wouldn’t give her the time of day.
After a few days, Era had lost interest in talking about it. She was weary of being treated like a child. Worse yet, she was beginning to believe they were right—that it really had been only a dream—and that notion made her ill.
It wasn’t as if she desired people to be unjustly incarcerated. She just wanted the dream to mean something. It had affected her too deeply. If the scenes had not been reality, then might not the dream have some meaning for her, some message from the Great One? But it seemed the dream-interpreter could not even give her that.
The problem was, even as Era attempted to move on, it held great weight in her heart. Again and again, she attempted to lay her burden before the Great One, but it would not lift. As a result, she experienced nightmares that she had been incarcerated herself. And Iviana the Chosen One never came for her.
“Era?” Aedis interrupted her thoughts. “Are you all right?”
Era put on her best smile, realizing she had allowed a few frustrated tears to drain from her eyes. “It’s nothing. I’m fine. Just been emotional lately.”
Aedis eased herself onto the bench. “It’s the dream, isn’t it?”
Era could not help noting a difference in Aedis’ tone, as if she was ready to listen. “It is.”
Aedis sighed. “I’m sorry I haven’t been more willing to take you seriously, Era. I’ve been busy with this new project the Kais have asked me to focus on. I haven’t really been there for you.”
“It’s not that exactly. It’s just... Oh, I can’t explain it.”
Aedis peered into her eyes. “Would you try? I want to help, if I can.”
“It’s... a number of things. It’s no one believing me to the point I’m beginning to doubt it myself. But even if I forsake it, I feel the burden weighing on me like a curse. And then the Chosen One being absent...”
Aedis nodded. “That, I understand, but... surely she’ll return when the time is right.”
Era nodded, but it troubled her more than she liked to admit. “What if...” Dare she ask it? “Aedis, what if she doesn’t?”
With those words, Era’s world began to spin until she could no longer make out her surroundings. Flailing her arms about, she attempted to reach for Aedis or anything that might ground her. She began to feel as if she would pass out when, quite suddenly, the spinning ceased and she fell upon the ground.
Pressing a hand against her racing heart, she muttered, “Oh, Aedis, I don’t know what happened. I became terribly dizzy.”
When there was no reply, she opened her eyes and looked to where Aedis had been only moments before, but she was gone. Gazing about, Era discovered not only no sign of Aedis, but no sign of Atlantyss. She was somewhere else entirely.
She was... above.
Above the surface of the ocean with dark gray clouds fuming overhead, she could not believe how dissimilar it all was to all the sunny scenes she had seen in her classes and on the walls of some of her friends’ homes.
Not only was the sky gray and murky, but the ocean was adorned similarly. This, she knew, was not right, for she had seen more of that ocean than any Swimmer could brag; she had lived within its depths and knew well what a brilliant golden-blue it was, how it glistened even far beneath the surface. The body before her should be that same brilliant blue. She had even heard tell the water was crystal clear upon the shore. Instead, it was murky. Not to mention, what should have been white sandy beach was a pasty mire that now clung to her leggings.
Where could she be if not the surface of the Greater Archipelagos? It was apparent she was on an island. There were several others surrounding, making it clear she was in the center of a series of archipelag
os. But what had happened to the world she had barely known—the world she had not before been given the opportunity to know?
And how had she gotten there?
As amazed as she was that she had somehow involuntarily transported, she could not help feeling disappointed by her initial view of the world above. She would have preferred to remain in her grand, underwater city than to experience this dark, murky and utterly uninviting world.
Still, she was above.
After attempting to clear some of the sludge from her clothes, she noticed some buildings inland and headed in their direction in hopes of finding a means to clean herself—not to mention, perhaps discovering some answers. Moving shakily, she found herself anxious to meet them, for her Atlantian instructors had warned her of their ways. After all, Era had always assumed she would experience it after the Great One’s plans were fulfilled and the people changed for the better.
Even so, it was not long before she was forced to confront her fears, for it appeared as if an older couple were headed in her direction. When the woman took notice of Era, she appeared to be studying her with great interest. Without warning, the woman broke into a run, headed straight for her. Naturally, Era’s first thought was to flee. But there was something familiar about the one flying toward her.
As the woman, who looked to be in her sixties, drew near, she slowed, taking careful steps toward Era, searching her face as if to discover some answer.
“Era?” she uttered at last, unbelieving.
Era studied her more closely. The woman was strangely familiar, yet she did not recognize her. At last, she nodded, admitting, “I am Era.”
The woman released a long breath and studied her further, attempting to confirm her discovery.
“I don’t suppose you had a mother named Era?” she asked.
Era shook her head. “My mother is Raphshi.”
The older woman shook her head in disbelief and at last the man who had been with her joined them.
“She says she is Era, but...”
“Can’t be,” said the man. “She doesn’t look a day over fourteen.”
Era couldn’t help giggling at his certainty since she was, after all, herself. “Well... I am Era.”
Suddenly, Era caught a familiar wrinkling of the forehead on the face of the man that immediately reminded her of Merrick. Turning to the woman again, she realized who she was facing.
“Aedis?”
Aedis’ eyes grew wide. “Era, how can it be you?” Her eyes began to well with tears. “I thought we’d never see you again! What happened to you?”
Era had no answers, no words... for if this was truly Aedis and Merrick, she had somehow―no.
“I have no idea...” she replied breathlessly, goosebumps racing up her arms. “How long have I been―er―gone?”
“Since the day you were telling me of your troubles, your dreams that were not dreams after all, but living nightmares.”
Era’s stomach sank. “Then I was right... but oh, I do not understand any of this.”
Era’s body began to shake with the reality of her situation.
“Oh, you poor thing. We’ve frightened you and I see there is more to this than can be readily explained. And look at your clothes. Well, come home with us. We’ll get you cleaned up and try to get this whole thing sorted. I really cannot tell you how overjoyed I am to see you again. You have no idea how losing you has plagued me all these years. I could never cease wondering what had become of you.”
“Oh, stop talking her ears off, Aedis. She’s as white as a sheet,” said Merrick in a tone that sounded nothing like the one she had known when he was a boy her own age. It sounded, if she had to describe it, devoid of hope. But Merrick had always been a dreamer.
Aedis, too, was changed, but her generous heart was still vastly apparent as she took warm hold of Era’s hand to lead her along the path.
Era could not help wondering what her friends were doing on this island and why their appearance was so... bedraggled, their clothes patched over and over. Their expressions, as well, had lost all vibrancy. These were not the Aedis and Merrick she had expected when they reached their maturity. They should be spectacular leaders in world culture, great Inventors, admired and respected by all. Instead, they appeared almost homeless. This theory was disproved, however, when they led her up to the door of a small building that looked as if it might have been beautiful at one time, but was currently quite filthy and in disrepair.
“I know it isn’t much...” Aedis admitted as if reading Era’s thoughts.
She opened the door to welcome her into what looked to be a two-room residence, which was, in its small way, somewhat cozy, if dingy, decorated with old furniture that was as patched as their clothing.
Aedis proceeded to lead Era into a bedroom where she offered her another set of gray patched clothes and left her there to change. Alone, Era’s mind swirled with questions. Firstly, how was she there, in what seemed to be the time to come, if Aedis and Merrick’s age revealed anything. Apparently, she’d missed years—since the day that had been mere minutes ago for her. As she threw on the provided clothing, the thought of her parents filled her mind and she fled the room to ask.
“Oh, they... passed away, I believe,” Aedis admitted. “Though I confess I have not kept the best of tabs on them since they were sent so far from here. After all, it is difficult to keep in contact with other islands since the dragons were sent away. But I am so sorry, dear.”
Era refused her apology. Her parents were not dead in her time and she refused to accept their death now. “Sent away?” she questioned, taking the seat provided for her.
Aedis and Merrick looked her over with some concern. “Oh, where have you been all these years?” Aedis asked.
“Nowhere. I only just arrived here when you found me. Moments before that, I was speaking with you... younger you.”
Merrick’s mind appeared to race with this information. “You moved through time,” he said at last.
“Is that really possible?” asked Aedis.
Merrick nodded. “It is. I remember tales of another who moved through time, though he was considered an old myth when we were kids. It was considered a Great Gift, I believe, but by our time the story had been presumed fictitious. Pity,” he said, looking Era over with new interest. “What a gift to research―”
“Don’t,” Aedis said gently, placing a hand on his knee to quiet him.
They looked into one another’s eyes for a moment before Merrick glanced to Aedis’ hand and placed his own over hers. That was when Era discerned their relationship.
“Are you two... married, or something?”
“We are,” affirmed Aedis with a small smile.
Era had not seen that coming. “But you’re so much older than Merrick!” she cried, clapping her hands over her mouth as the words were uttered.
Aedis giggled softly. “Only by three years. I suppose that seemed a great gap when we were young, but things… change as you grow older.”
Merrick flashed Aedis a quick smile and squeezed her hand lovingly, then returned his attention to Era with concern. “Era... I’m afraid you’re not safe here. If you plan on remaining in this time, we must find a way to get you away from this realm, onto Kaern.”
Era’s stomach turned. “What do you mean?” She didn’t want to remain in this time. She had to get back to her parents, her life and her friends before they were old and in love.
“If truly the last you knew was of that day so many years ago,” Aedis began, “you have missed a great deal.”
Era nodded. “Tell me everything, beginning with why you think I’m in danger.”
Aedis stole a long breath. “Because of your gifting... if indeed you are a traveler of time.”
“But what is so improper in that?”
Aedis raised a brow. “Come now, even when we were young the council would never have permitted someone with that gifting to live freely. Because of your dream, you understood before any
of us what the council was doing to those whose gifts were deemed ‘hazardous’ to the community at large.”
“Yes. They were imprisoned. They’re actually doing that?”
Aedis nodded. “That and much more. Although, I suppose there’s less imprisoning now. That prison was only so large and this was a world full of gifted people.”
“Was?”
“What would you say if I told you an Inventor and a Healer were commissioned by the council to create an elixir that would neutralize a person’s Great Gift?”
Era gulped. “I would say I hope beyond hope that is not true.”
Merrick responded with a bitter smirk.
“How?” Era cried. “When?”
“We heard rumors of it not long after your disappearance,” Aedis explained, “though no one really believed it. Eventually, however, the nightmare made itself reality. Not long after, the lost Isle of Atlantyss was discovered.”
“Yes,” Merrick added, “discovered and the inhabitants forced from their homes to be questioned, punished, imprisoned, brainwashed and have our gifts stripped from us by what is called Kurnin’s Elixir.”
“But why? Why would someone create such a thing? Why was Atlantyss treated so?”
“Oh, it wasn’t only Atlantyss. It was just about every island on the face of our planet. The Realm Leader and his council raised up the Enforcers, people who were willing to commit whatever crimes the council asked of them.”
“But how did they get people to consume this elixir?”
Merrick stared off as he continued, “Various ways. Some took it without a fight, knowing there was no way out. But then there were, as I mentioned, the Enforcers: those who are gifted to force people into slumber, at which time they inject the elixir into their system. Others have gifted strength and you’d be surprised how much that intimidates people, at least after a few beatings.”
“Where in the world did they find people like that?”
“As far as we know, the council had been raising them up in secret for some time, training them, brain-washing some from their youth. There are even a group of people called cannibals who were a large help during that time.
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