by Joni Parker
“Arethus,” she said in Elfspeak and rubbed the pin. “Lord Arethus, can you hear me?”
“There you are, Keeper. I’ve been waiting to talk to you and give you the latest news. I’m very excited. The Mentors will set up a new entry point at Jade Crossing on Seaward Isle and the mortals will be arriving at Portsmouth Naval Base on the fall solstice. Once the mortals are through, you can return home to Eledon. Lord Odin has already informed the mortals.”
Alex gasped. “That’s the best news I’ve had in ages! Is it at the full moon, too?”
“No, the entry point no longer needs a full moon. That’s one of the improvements I was trying to tell you about.”
“Where’s Portsmouth Naval Base? And what day is it?”
“Portsmouth is in southern England, quite a lovely spot. It’s a good location for the entry point. Today is Saturday, the nineteenth of September, so you have four days to get there. The solstice is on Tuesday, the twenty-third.”
“Thank you!” Alex stood up and danced, shaking her fist with excitement. A way home! She paused. But how to get there? Maybe Tyler could give her directions, if only she could find him.
She glanced at the buildings around her, but had no idea where she was. His building was covered with silver glass—she didn’t see it anywhere. She turned around in confusion. Discouraged, she shoved her hands in her pockets and wandered on.
Chapter 37
THE KNIGHT
Cars rushed by, honking their horns as Alex crossed in front of them. The noise confused her and she ran in panic. However, as soon as she turned a corner, she recognized a man down the street—Admiral Teller emerged from a car, decked out in his uniform with gold stripes. He was the man who had withdrawn all the charges against her. Maybe her luck was changing. Maybe he could help her get the reward money to get to Portsmouth.
As he closed the car door, Alex ran up to him. “Admiral Teller!”
“Good morning, Lady Dumwalt.” He put his hat on and saluted her.
She saluted him and curtsied in proper Elf form. “Please call me, Alex. I never had a chance to thank you for dismissing all those charges. Thank you.”
“It was my duty. What are you doing here? It’s Saturday.”
“Well, it’s a long story and I could use your help.”
“Come inside and we can talk over coffee. My daughter dropped me off this morning.” He escorted her into the building.
The Admiral used his special pass to go around the security gates, but he directed Alex to stand in line. She was behind three people. The buzzer went off for a man at the front and the guards stopped everyone.
While the Admiral waited, he got two cups of coffee and sat down at a table. He prepared his coffee with a package of sugar and cream. He was here to finish up his report about NATO Exercise Hunter Dawn, but why was she here? Shouldn’t she be bringing in the next group of sailors from wherever? Distracted, he put a package of sugar and cream in the other cup as well. He stirred it and wondered if she had lied. Maybe, she wasn’t going home after all.
Alex glanced around the large room and remembered to take her cloak pin and necklace off and put them in a small bucket with her purse. As she stood in line, she caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye. A bald man stood outside, staring into the building. Oh my, he’s completely bald! She giggled for a second and then wondered why he’d wear dark glasses on a foggy day. Then his hand slipped a black pistol with a long nose under his belt. He frowned and strolled across the street to a dark red car.
Alex watched him get into his car. After he sat down, he took the gun out and unscrewed the long nose from it, glancing back at the building with a look of disgust. Alex turned her attention back to the line, but in the mirrored wall, she caught another glimpse of him. Rarely had she ever seen a man completely bald. His scalp was so shiny it reflected the sun, now peeking through. On his neck were two tattoos, one was a cross over a circle and the other was a series of lightning bolts. The hair on the back of her neck rose. Who was he?
He had a gun; she’d seen one before, but she wasn’t sure what the long nose was for. Nevertheless, a gun was a gun, not matter what form it had. His actions led her to believe that he was disgusted, as if he’d missed his target. Was he an assassin? Alex glanced around the room—the Admiral was the only person of any importance here. Was he the target? Did she interrupt a mission?
“Next.” The man at the security gate waved her forward and a woman pushed her from behind. Alex handed the guard the bin with her belongings. She went through without an issue and dumped out her belongings and put them in her purse. The Admiral was seated at a small table nearby and handed her a cup of coffee.
“Now what can I do for you, my lady?” The Admiral sipped his coffee.
“Please call me Alex. The Wizard Ecstasy was supposed to take me home, but he’s disappeared. I’ve contacted a friend of mine, Lord Arethus, and he said a new entry point was going to be made for your sailors still on Seaward Isle. It’ll take them to Portsmouth Naval Base in southern England at the fall solstice. Once they come through, I can go back. So, I was wondering if you could help me get the reward money, so I could get to Portsmouth. It’s only a few days away.”
The Admiral sat up and paused before he spoke. “Yes, I think I may be able to help you. When did you say this was to take place?”
“The fall solstice, the twenty-third of September.”
“You mean the fall equinox?”
“It’s the same thing I understand, just a different name.”
“Indeed, it is. Are you sure about this? What exactly is an entry point?”
“It’s like a connection between my world and yours. The Mentors know how to make them. I understand your friends have been informed and are preparing to leave.”
The Admiral could hardly believe his ears and sat in shock for a moment. Then he grinned broadly. “Come with me and I’ll see what I can do.”
“Great!”
“Bring your coffee.” He took his coffee and strolled over to the metal doors for the lift. Alex looked out the window to her left and saw the bald man, still sitting in his car.
“Admiral, I think I should tell you something. While I was standing in line at the security arch, I noticed a bald man with a gun.”
“A gun, you say?” The Admiral frowned. “What did he do with it?”
“He put it away and got in his car.”
“Strange. It doesn’t appear that anyone was shot.”
“No one was. I think I got in his way. He may have been after you. You’re the most important person in here.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He raised an eyebrow. “Where is he now?”
“Look out the window to the left—in that dark red car.” Instead of pointing with her hand, she jerked her head to the side to indicate the direction. The Admiral leaned forward and peeked around her.
“I see him, but I don’t recognize him. Perhaps, they’re shooting a movie in the area.” The metal doors to the lift opened and he stepped in. The Admiral pushed a button on the wall that lit up. Alex followed the Admiral inside and closed her eyes as the lift went down. She only opened them when the lift stopped on level B-three. The Admiral led her to his office.
A young woman rose when the Admiral came in. She followed him to his office with a sheaf of papers in her hand. Alex came up behind her. The young woman spoke quickly to the Admiral and placed papers in front of him as he put his leather valise on the table.
“Petty Officer Little, get Admiral Chestermann on the line. Tell him it’s extremely important and urgent.”
“Yes, Admiral.”
“Also, do you know if anyone’s shooting movies in the area, carrying guns?”
“No, Admiral. We would have been notified.”
“By the way, allow me to introduce Alex. I’ll leave her with you. I need a few minutes to get my schedule in order.”
“Of course.” Petty Officer Little escorted Alex to the sitting a
rea. Alex sat on the sofa while Petty Officer Little made a phone call. She pressed a button on the phone. “Admiral Teller, Admiral Chestermann’s office is on the line.” She hung up and turned to Alex. “Would you care for any more coffee?”
“No, but is there a toilet close by?”
She grinned. “It’s right next to the lift. Just go to the left.”
When Alex returned, Petty Officer Little told her, “The Admiral had to leave for an emergency meeting. He’ll be back in an hour or so. He said to wait for him.” She handed Alex a newspaper with a bold headline about her trial, Charges Withdrawn by Ministry. Alex read the article with interest.
Chapter 38
NEW LAND
Back in Eledon, Lord Odin paced along the deck of the Rock Elf ship, Bloodstone. The sea breeze ruffled his hair and he tamed it with his hand. As his thoughts drifted, an image of Lord Arethus appeared.
“Lord Odin, may I speak?”
“Yes, of course, my lord.” Lord Odin stared blankly out to sea to Elfspeak. He didn’t want to let the Rock Elves know by closing his eyes. “Do you have any news of the Keeper?”
“I do. I gave her the message about Portsmouth. She was clearly overjoyed.”
“She’s well, then.”
“Yes, I expect you’ll see her at the fall solstice.”
“Thank you for your help.”
“Any time. Where are you going?”
“The Rock Elves need help with the land on Seaward Isle. It’s nothing but mud, they say. I shall use the Shovel key to help them, but I do want to be with the mortals as they depart. I’d like to make certain there aren’t any problems with the entry point.”
“And to see your granddaughter?”
“That, too.”
“I shall let you know if I hear anything more. I’m off.”
Lord Odin smiled and resumed his pacing on the deck of the ship. To get such a visit from Lord Arethus was rare. He usually had to wait until he was home in Wood-dale.
Seaward Isle came into view; the volcano known as Mount Zenon protruded into the blue sky. The ship sailed wide of the island to avoid any contact with Water Elf ships. The Rock Elves were no match for them.
Within hours, the ship pulled close to shore and dropped anchor. Lord Odin climbed into a rowboat and as soon as he stepped on land, his feet sank deep into the mud.
One of the land builders came over to him and knelt in the mud. “Welcome, Lord Odin. We were told you came to help us.”
“I’ll try. Tell me what you’ve done so far.”
“Our spells dry the surface of the land, but the mud underneath remains. And we can only do a few feet at a time, even together. We’ve done this ground several times already and you can see it’s still too soft.”
“I understand. Well, I shall give the Shovel key a try.” He opened the pouch and removed the keys, removing the one that looked like a small shovel.
The land builder watched him with curiosity and others gathered around.
Lord Odin held the key in his hand. “Shovel key, I’m the Keeper of the Keys and I want you to dry this land so it can be productive.” Little wings came out of the sides and it flew into the air. A few feet away, it landed in the mud. Then it took off again. As it flew away, the mud dried where it had landed. When it touched down again, dry land appeared and connected to the first spot. It was working.
As the key worked, water drained away, flooding other areas. Lord Odin pulled out the Fish key and held it up. “Fish key, I’m the Keeper of the Keys. Channel this water into a stream so it may return to the sea.” The key flew away and soon, a small stream appeared channeling water away from the land.
The land builders were ecstatic; wherever the land was dry, they said spells and spread seeds. Within a few days, the land would be covered with grass.
Lord Odin’s heart raced with excitement. This was what the Rock Elves needed to settle this land. Now, truly, there was a promise of peace on Seaward Isle.
After a few more days, he completed his task and arranged to be taken to the port of Agana to visit with the mortals. After a half-day’s sail, he arrived and stepped into the Commandant’s front office, only to find Rock Elves everywhere. They were removing files and burning them in the fireplace. Lord Fissure sat in the Commandant’s chair. “Welcome, Lord Odin.” He stood up and knelt as he should to a member of the Council, but rose quickly.
Lord Odin’s jaw dropped. “What are you doing here, Lord Fissure? This is the Commandant’s office.”
Lord Fissure rose. “It belongs to me now.”
“This area was set aside for the mortals.” Lord Odin’s brow furrowed.
“They’re all leaving. They’re going to Jade Crossing to wait for the entry point.”
“Not all of them want to leave.”
“Oh, but they do.” He smiled. “Would you care to observe? Come. I’ll show you.” He led the way outside where two horses waited for them. Behind them, a patrol of twenty Rock Elf soldiers waited. The two lords mounted up and rode east. Fifty miles was a long journey and along the way, they caught up to the mortals on their way to Jade Crossing. Most of them were on foot with Rock Elves prodding them from behind.
“Lord Odin, help us! They’re forcing us to leave,” a woman shouted from the crowd.
Lord Odin grimaced; his mouth went dry. He pulled his horse to a stop, but Lord Fissure urged him on.
“Lord Fissure, you can’t force these people to leave if they don’t want to. The Mentors allowed them to stay.”
“The mortals must leave.”
“I protest!”
“Try and stop me.” Lord Fissure shrugged and waved his right hand to the side. “I have over five thousand soldiers here. What do you intend to do?” He grinned.
Lord Odin gritted his teeth and glanced at the woman who’d shouted at him. He recognized her. She was the baker of the best pastries he’d ever had. His head drooped as he searched for answers. All at once, something occurred to him and he raised his head. The woman was also a Scinthian with Elf blood. Over a thousand years ago, the Scinthians were mortals when they arrived on the shores of Seaward Isle, in search of Mother Gaea’s grandson. However, they intermingled with the Elves, so now their blood was almost pure as his. He wouldn’t be able to protect all the mortals who wanted to stay, but he could save some.
Lord Fissure spurred his horse and rode ahead. Lord Odin trailed behind and caught up to him. They spent the night at a Rock Elf encampment and moved on in the morning. As they approached Jade Crossing, the number of mortals increased, as did the number of Rock Elf soldiers. The mortals had only what they could carry, nothing more. Not far from Jade Crossing, Lord Fissure raised his hand and stopped. He dismounted.
“Come with me, Lord Odin.” He marched into an area filled with mortals. “Here are those sailors who came on those gray ships. They will go through first. Then the rest will follow behind.”
“My lord, do you intend to remove Elves along with the mortals?”
“Of course not. Only the mortals will leave Eledon.” Lord Fissure shook his head.
“Then I ask that you allow the Scinthians and their families to stay. At one time, they were mortal, but that was many generations ago before they laid with Elves. They’ve also used the purity potion, so their blood has been cleansed of mortal blood. I ask that you allow them to stay. I have an enclave set aside for them in one of the forests on Easton.”
Lord Fissure rubbed his chin and took a few paces. “How many are there?”
“I don’t have an accurate count, but I would guess no more than a hundred Scinthians are here. Most are married to mortals and have families.”
“Very well. We will arrange transportation for them.”
“I’ll call on the Water Elves.”
“No, no Water Elves. We’ll transport them, but you must tell us where this enclave is located.”
Lord Odin bowed and smiled graciously. He’d won one battle.
Chapter 39
; DARK RED CAR
At the London underground offices, Admiral Teller returned with Captain Jonas behind him. Alex gasped but remained seated, staring at the Captain.
The Admiral smiled at her. “Alex, do you remember Captain Jonas? He’s my new chief of staff.” He strolled into his office and opened his briefcase, tossing papers inside.
Captain Jonas nodded to her. “How did you get here?”
“I’m trying to get home. It’s complicated.” Alex bit her lip. She didn’t like him and knew the feeling was mutual, but she had no choice at this point.
“Let’s go. Come along, Alex.” The Admiral marched out and the Captain and Alex followed behind. They went to the lift and went up to level B-one to the garage. Waiting for them was a black limousine.
The Admiral crawled into the back seat, while Captain Jonas climbed in next to him from the other side.
“Alex, sit over there.” The Admiral pointed across from him.
Alex poked her head inside and saw an empty seat beside a handsome young man with bright red hair. She slid into the seat, facing the Admiral, her back to the front of the car.
“This is my aide-de-camp, Leftenant Nelson,” the Admiral said.
“A pleasure.” The young Leftenant extended his right hand to her.
Alex shook his hand. It was soft, without any callouses. “My name’s Alex. Nice to meet you.”
Nelson put on his seatbelt and ran his thumb over his mobile phone.
“Pardon me, Admiral, but where are we going?” Alex asked.
“To Portsmouth, of course. It just so happens that I have a meeting to attend. Perfect timing.”
“Great!” She smiled and noticed all of them bowed their heads to their mobile phones. She glanced at Nelson’s phone over his shoulder. He seemed to be chasing a car with his thumbs.