“No, no, its not about them this time,” said Meeka. “I don’t want the Bostavs to know that I am here. They are very strict about who comes and goes where in this place. And, well, I had heard that you were here so I had to come find you!”
“Ohhh, okay, okay I understand. Yeah they really are strict. I mean there’s a guard watching me everywhere I go. How did you even get in here?”
“I came here with a friend I met, he is here to see his grandmother who works in the kitchen. How are you? Have they been treating you well? I see you have all kinds of food here,” said Meeka, noticing the tray of fruits and drink that were on top of a table next to the bed. “Wow this looks like a princess’ room.” He looked up at the gold ceilings and then down at the marble floors.
“It is. They said it belonged to one of the, ah, Unknowns back when they lived here. And yes, they have been treating me well. Feeding me and everything else.”
“So what happened to you when I lost you? Who took you? I tried to run after you but whoever had you was just too fast. I have very little legs.”
“I don’t know I didn’t see his face. He did something to make me fall asleep and I woke up in a cave. There was a girl watching me, her name was Reeza. She was scary but she didn’t hurt me. And then she took another guy prisoner; his name is Jonas. I still don’t know what happened to him. He actually rescued me from her but I guess the Bostavs thought he was the one who took me so they arrested him when they found us in the woods.”
“Oh I see. You know I traveled far and wide by myself looking for you!”
“Awww that’s sweet of you!”
“Well I started out alone. But then I met a young boy, he’s a Meston from the north, and he traveled with me. He is the one who is here now with his grandmother. We actually found the hide out of the Unknowns.”
“You saw them? Are they scary? I am frightened of them. I don’t know what they will make me do to choose their side.”
“Oh don’t be afraid,” said Meeka as his little hand patted her back. “They won’t hurt you. They need you. And aside from that, they’re not scary looking. They just look like humans wearing black robes, that’s all.”
“Thanks Meeka. You make me feel better. You will stay with me, won’t you?”
“Yes. But you have to hide me and keep me out of the Bostavs sight. They will probably throw me in the dungeons if they find out I’m here with you.”
The two of them stopped talking as they heard the alarm. The Bostav guarding the door walked into the room and closed the window, and bolted it. “Do not open that window, it is not safe,” he said. He looked around and scanned the room. His sensors could not pick up Meeka as his potion was still working. Satisfied that the girl was safe, he exited the room and stood guard outside the door once again.
“I thought that they could sense you? I heard they are really sensitive like that.”
“I had taken precautions with regards to that, don’t you worry.”
“But what is that sound? I’m scared Meeka. Has the war started?”
“No, no. That alarm means that some prisoners have escaped. Don’t worry you will be fine. Just lie down on the bed and try to rest.” Meeka got up and walked around the room. “I will make sure that you are safe, my friend.”
Maria laid down, feeling content that Meeka was watching over her. Even for a little guy, she felt comfort in knowing that someone was there. When he was sure that neither the Bostav nor Maria was looking he headed over to the window. He slowly pushed the bolts with all his might until he had unlocked it. He then walked by to the bed and just sat there next to Maria. He kept his eyes to the window, as if waiting for someone to come through.
***
The potion that Jonas, Reeza and Ankar drank to escape the prison lasted long enough until they were safely down in the caves underneath. They transformed back into their regular shapes.
“Wow,” Jonas said. “That was a little painful.”
“That was your first time?” Reeza asked him.
“Yes. You‘re telling me that it wasn’t yours?”
She just looked at him and laughed. She turned to Ankar. “Are you alright?”
“Yes, dear child. I am an old man and that just took its toll on me. I will need to rest for a bit before we go on.”
“What is exactly are we to do? That Omtar wasn’t your only ally in here was he? If he was then we have no hope to win against the Bostavs. They are searching the grounds for us now and they will find us soon.”
“Have a little faith Jonas. We have more friends that you know. We wait here for a bit. Just give me a few minutes to catch my breath and then we head towards the entrance of the cave. We will be opening it to let our friends in.”
“It is sealed but I’m sure you have a way around that,” Jonas said to Ankar.
The old man just looked at him and smiled.
I have got to find out where my son is, Jonas thought. He went to where Reeza was standing and grabbed her arms. “Where is my son? Tell me where he is.”
“Now, now, Jonas. You know as well as I do that once I tell you where he is you would not hesitate to try to kill both me and Ankar. Consider the child as my insurance policy to make sure that you do not double cross your own people.”
“Is this the kind of life you want our son to grow up to? War? Under rulers who won’t give a damn about killing the innocent?”
“Jonas, your faithlessness is a cause of concern. The Unknowns will ensure that we get our fair share of the kingdom and they will not bother us. We will have control of both the north and south and all the resources in the area. Your son will never be in any need of anything and will be able to do as he desires,” said Ankar. “You just need to let it happen and you can be with him, and with Reeza. By then there will be no need of spies and you can have the family that you always wanted.”
Jonas looked at Ankar. “You’re right,” he said to him. “I just want whats best for the tribe and for my son.”
Ankar got up. “Let us go my children,” he said to them. “Our friends will be here soon.” The three of them made their way to the entrance of the cave. As they had already known, it was sealed not just by stone but also with magic. Ankar turned to Reeza. “You have what we need?” She nodded her head and took a small vial of potion from inside her shoes.
So she had planned to be captured, thought Jonas. But in order not to be searched she had to pretend to be a victim. Ankar knew that I would attempt to rescue the girl! They had me in their plans all along.
Reeza rubbed the potion on her hands and touched the magic shield that was covering the stone. In an instant, the shield flickered and then disappeared. “Help me push,” she said to Jonas. The two of them pushed the stone with all their might and even with their combined strength they were only able to move it a few inches. But it was enough to fit a body at a time.
“That will do,” Ankar said. “Now all we have to do is hide behind the stone, and we wait. The two of you can take care of any Bostav or Meston that might come through.”
***
Gadik returned to the palace with the Doxpats in tow. The giants surrounded the palace and sat down to guard it. Gadik and the other Bostavs made their way inside, among the commotion of the escaped prisoners. The palace was on lockdown.
“What happened?” asked Gadik to the supervising guard.
“Three prisoners have escaped. We are searching the grounds for them now.”
“Which prisoners?” Gadik asked, but he had a feeling that he already knew the answer.
“The three Southerners,” the supervisor replied. “You must join in the search brother, they must be found as soon as possible. The Royals have been on lockdown in their chambers.”
“And what about the human girl? Is she safe?”
“Yes she has been in her quarters the whole time. There is a guard at the door and he had bolted the windows. Go, we must find them before they cause any trouble.”
“Do you know how they escaped?”
>
“They appeared to have gotten hold of the key and transformed themselves smaller with a potion.” The guard looked at him. “We searched the two men, but because the girl was brought in as a victim we neglected to search her too. She must have potions hidden on her body.”
“Then we can assume that the Unknowns are on their way. Warn everyone to be ready; we need to stop them all from gaining access to the girl. And be prepared for anything; with magic, we can never be sure what to expect.” Gadik ran into the palace. With full speed he proceeded to the second floor and checked the dining room. He saw the old lady Martha there and a young boy, whom he assumed to be Jasper.
“Are you Jasper?” he asked.
“Yes,” the boy replied.
“I am glad you are here and in no harm. Your brothers have been looking for you.”
Jasper looked at his Grandma and smiled. “The two of you, come with me.”
They followed him out into the hallway and up the stairs. They arrived at the chambers and Gadik asked the guard to open the door. They went in and saw Maria. She instantly got up from lying on the bed at the sight of company.
“Maria, are you alright?” said Gadik as he ran to her.
“Yes, I am fine. There is trouble isn’t there?” She looked at the young man and the old lady. “Martha!”
“Hello again dear child. This here is my grandson, Jasper.”
“Hello,” said Jasper awkwardly. She is cute, he thought.
“Hi,” said Maria, blushing a little. Well isn’t he a cutie, she thought.
“The three of you can stay together here, where it is safe. Do not leave this room,” said Gadik as he started to leave.
“Wait!” Jasper went after him. “I have to tell you something.” He proceeded to tell the Bostav about the presence of the Unknowns and their plot to come to the palace, as well as the potion that they had concocted. Gadik thanked him for the valuable information and turned to leave.
“Oh, and if you see my friend Meeka, please be careful with him he is one of us!” Jasper called out to him. Gadik turned back t talk to the boy.
“Who is this Meeka? The Omtar?” He remembered his name from their meeting at the land of the Omtars when Maria was taken.
“Yes, he came here with me. But he disappeared in the dining room. We looked for him but we don’t know how he got out. Anyway if you see him, just let him know we are safe.”
Gadik turned around and ran downstairs towards the dining hall. He suspected the Omtar of using magic to disappear from the room but he was hoping that he is mistaken. If it is true, then he is definitely working for them and is a danger right now that he is nowhere to be found. He arrived at the dining hall and examined it. No cracks, except a small one near the window. So it is true, he thought. The Omtar is a traitor.
He ran back out and put out an alert to all the other Bostavs to keep an eye out for an Omtar running loose on the grounds. He then ran back upstairs to check on the Royals chambers. It appeared to be untouched and they are still inside on lockdown. There were ten Bostavs posted by the door. Satisfied with the security, Gadik tried to think of where the prisoners and the Omtar could be hiding.
There is only one place that they can stay this long without being discovered - the caves underneath the palace. He knew that it was sealed with both a giant stone on the entrance as well as with magic, but if the intruders possess magic themselves then they must have a way of getting down there and knocking down the shield.
Gadik took his spear and hurriedly made his way down then outside. He didn’t bother stopping other Bostavs to accompany him, as they were all busy searching and also preparing for battle. He turned around to the back of the palace and made his way to the underground caves.
***
Prince Amir and his company arrived on the border of the walls of the palace. They are still hiding by the trees and observing the situation trying to find the best way in. They are currently in the back of the palace, and they need to reach the underground caves. There were Doxpats covering every corner and can sure spot them if they tried to run past them. Prince Amir signaled to his sister. Princes Naia took a small heap of fish from her satchel and tossed it as far as she could. The Doxpats would smell it and would try to grab it to eat. It was hard for them to resist food. Once the giant in front of them rose up to get the fish, the Unknowns ran and made their way past him into an opening on the ground that would lead to the palace caves. They have successfully disappeared by the time the Doxpat came back.
Once underground, spotting the entrance to the caves was easy. As they had pre-arranged with the Mestons, the stone of the entrance had been moved a little to allow them to get in.
“Ah, brother! I am very glad to see you!” said Prince Amir as soon as he laid eyes on Ankar.
“And I, you, brother,” Ankar replied. “You already know of my colleagues Jonas and Reeza.”
“Yes indeed. Brave warriors of our cause. I am afraid our reunion will have to be celebrated more at a later time. We have urgent business at hand.”
“Yes indeed we do.”
“Where is the human girl?”
“She is in the chambers upstairs, with one of our allies with her. An Omtar named Meeka.”
“An Omtar? Now how in the world did you pull that off Ankar? But nevertheless, we must go now before they are on to us,” he said as he motioned for his companions to move. “You will stay here and ensure that no Bostav follows us. Your services will not go unrewarded Mestons.”
Prince Amir and the Unknowns each took a vial of potion from their satchels and drank them. Within seconds their bodies went through spasm and finally, they were able to manipulate their bodies into whatever shape they wanted. They found the crack that Ankar and company had used to get down to the caves and used the same crack to get back up inside the palace.
As soon as they were gone, Jonas and Reeza stood on their guard by the stone entrance. Ankar sat down nearby, still drained of energy from the transformations he had gone through. Reeza and Jonas pushed the stone back in its place together. They stood alert inside, and waited.
And then they heard it. Someone is trying to move the stone. Slowly, it gave way and soon enough it revealed the presence of a single Bostav. He walked in and saw Reeza and Jonas.
“You!” he looked at both of them. “I knew you were in it together.” He poised himself with his spear pointed at them. Jonas and Reeza took their own positions, ready to fight the Bostav. Ankar looked at them both.
“Well what are you waiting for?” he said to them. “Destroy him!” he yelled, as Reeza and Jonas both went on to attack Gadik.
***
Maria felt comforted to be surrounded by others. She had felt so alone when she was kidnapped that she now really appreciates the value of company. And besides, she said to herself, I like this boy.
“So, how old are you Jasper?” she asked.
“I’m 16. And you?”
“I’m 15 but I’ll be turning 16 this year.”
“That’s great,” said the boy in a shy voice. “So, what do you think of the kingdom so far?”
“Oh I love it! Well besides the fact that I am in the middle of this coming war and whatever decision I make will impact your kingdom,” she laughs. “But really, I do like it. I kind of want to stay.”
“You should stay,” Jasper said. “Well, unless of course you prefer your own world. I mean you must have family there.”
Maria thought about her family. She does miss them, even her annoying brother. And she misses Jasmine and Neil and Alex and even the drama with Madeline Chin. But as much as she wants to go back home, there is just something appealing about this magical kingdom with its unique species and its palace and the Royals. Now that there is a boy in the picture she finds it even more attractive to stay.
As the young boy and girl talk, Martha was looking out through the window. “Oh dear,” she said. “I am afraid that the war is coming soon. There is so much unrest out there right now and
oh!” Before she could finish what she was saying, the window was pushed open, knocking her down, and one by one, five figures dressed in black robes made their way in. One of them murmured a spell and the door became instantly covered with a shield. The Bostav that was guarding the door had noticed the change inside and was desperately trying to get in. “That should hold them off,” said Prince Amir.
“Grandma!” Jasper said as he rushed over to help her up.
Maria stared at the five figures in horror. This is really them, she thought. They are definitely the Unknowns.
“Help her Jasper,” said Martha to her grandson. “I will be fine but you must help her.”
Jasper rushed over to grab Maria but he was stopped on his tracks. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Meeka appeared in front of him.
“Meeka!” he said. “Where have you been? Come we have to help her!” He tried to run past him but Meeka grabbed his leg with all four arms, causing him to trip and fall.
“I don’t think so Jasper,” he said. “I think we are going to let the Unknowns do what they do best.”
“Meeka? What do you mean? Don’t let them get me! You know what they will do!” said a very frightened Maria.
“Oh he knows dear girl. But he also has faith in me and in what I can do,” he said. “I don’t believe we have been properly introduced. My name is Prince Amir and these are my brothers and sisters. And with your help, we can be the future of this kingdom.” He turned to his companions and laughed. “We must go now, Maria. Time to meet with our other brothers and sisters so you can choose our destiny.”
Two of the Unknowns pick up a struggling Maria and started to drag her between them. The other two muttered a spell that broke open the door, knocking out the Bostav that had been trying to get in. Then Prince Amir once again took the lead, as they walked the hallways en route to the Royals’ chamber.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Gadik found himself in a stand off with two of the South’s best warriors. Reeza and Jonas were both looking at him, waiting to make the first move. Finally Reeza went first and the fighting commenced. The skilled Bostav defended himself defiantly against the tirade of attacks by the Mestons. Blows were exchanged between them and Gadik. He put his spear into good use as he took jabs at both of them but they had been trained extremely well and knew exactly how to defend themselves against it. The battle continued, an epic fight that would be told in the future from fathers to sons and their sons after them. Finally, the Bostav knocked out Jonas with a combination of punches and kicks. As he saw his male opponent lying on the floor, Gadik turned his full attention to fighting the female. She was quick and resilient and attacked with no mercy. She managed to knock the spear out of the Bostav’s reach and proceeded with her own combination of hits that left the Bostav lying on the floor. She went to grab the spear and as she was about to pierce him dead on the ground, Jonas knocked her out from behind.
The Strange Adventure of Maria Mercado Page 13