“Well, the temperature did change,” John pointed out. “When we placed them on our wrists they would have started warming to our body temperature, right? Could whatever metal this was have turned to liquid at human body temperature or near it?”
“It's possible. I haven't heard of a metal that does that, but the cavern is quite chilly. Perhaps they were kept low enough below room temperature that they became solid.” Jason pointed to the symbol on his left arm. “That still doesn't explain how liquid metal of any sort formed into a symbol.”
John felt a chill run up his spine that had nothing to do with the chill of the cavern. “Well, it's done. I don't see how we can undo it without cutting into our skin. But nothing...” John stopped speaking as the entire cavern began to vibrate. Before their eyes, the shrine began to sink into the ground, as if it too were formed of liquid metal. As the shrine descended, something else caught John's eyes. Behind the shrine, opposite the passageway they had entered from, a light was beginning to peek through. As John watched, a door began to raise toward the ceiling, exposing sunlight. The light of the orb was replaced by the natural light of the sun as the orb sank into the ground.
Chapter 2 - Into the Light
Further thoughts on the mystery of the shrine, or even the strange bracelets, forgotten for a time, the trio began to move toward the light. Though their eyes had become accustomed to the light of the orb, they still found themselves squinting as they stepped out into the sunlight.
High above them in the cloudless sky sat a bright yellow sun, indistinguishable from the one back home. Are we still on Earth? John found himself wondering. The sun looks the same. But there were many suns in the universe, and the likelihood of another sun having the same, or similar, chemical properties of the Earth sun was rather high, or so Jason had told him during one of their arguments over the existence of other life in the universe.
As John and the others looked around at their surroundings, they found themselves standing at the mouth of a cave. Before them was a clearing, devoid of plants but littered with dirt and rocks. Beyond the clearing, massive trees stood like silent sentinels – a dense forest of them to be specific. Most of them looked to be oak, with some smaller pines and other deciduous trees mixed in.
Stepping out further, John turned around to see what was behind the cave – and found himself looking way up. A massive mountain range, with no top in sight, towered at their backs. Looking to the left and right, John saw the mountain range went on for miles, with no end in sight. This small cave was in the foothills of the mountain – the very base of it. “Whoa,” he said, “check that out.” He pointed toward the mountains and Jason and Ashley joined him to view them. Back home, they hadn't lived near mountains, nor had they ever gone skiing or hiking much, so to see such mountains up close was a momentous occasion.
“Well, we're definitely not in Michigan,” Jason said. “We don't have mountains like that there.”
“No, we don't,” John agreed.
“So where are we?” Ashley asked.
John shrugged. “I don't know, Ashley. But we should probably try and find out. Since we can't go that way,” he gestured toward the mountains, “we will have to go into the forest and hope we find some signs of civilization. Do either of you have any tools or weapons with you?” Both Jason and Ashley shook their heads. “Me either,” he said with a sigh. “All I've got is my backpack, my cell phone and my wallet. My backpack is full of pens, notebooks and books, which aren't of any use here.”
“Yeah, I've got the same, John,” Jason began. “But to be fair, none of us were expecting to be here today.”
Together, the three set out into the woods. After a time, Jason looked down at his wrist. “Guys, we’ve been walking for an hour. If we're on Earth, or a planet like Earth, the sun will be moving east to west. It's been moving in that direction,” Jason pointed ahead of them, “so we must be going west. Judging by the southern orientation of the sun, I would say we are in the northern hemisphere, somewhere around the middle latitudes.”
“Thank you Mr. science,” Ashley said. “Your science classes are finally being put to use.”
“Well, this is basic stuff, Ash,” Jason said. “We learned this back in high school. Don't you remember?”
“Vaguely,” Ashley said with a wave of her hand. “High school is a little...hazy...for me in terms of what we were taught.”
“You know, for being twins you would think we would be more similar.”
“Yeah, it would be nice if you were a bit...cooler,” replied Ashley. John snickered at that. Jason shot him a glare.
John shrugged. “She has a point, Jason. You haven't even had a girlfriend yet and you're twenty years old.”
“I did too,” Jason said. “Remember Penelope Jones? We dated.”
“I wouldn't call going bowling with her one time a date, man.”
“I'm sorry I'm not as good with the ladies as you are, John. Too bad you don't have a twin sister I could date like you are with mine.”
They continued on for a time, before Ashley stopped. “I have to pee,” she declared.
John and Jason stopped. John turned around to face her. “Well, there are some bushes over there,” he pointed toward some bushes off to her right.
“Wait, you mean I have to...over there? But I...I...that's unsanitary!”
“Okay,” John replied with sympathy on his face. “Let me run home real quick and grab some toilet paper for you. Or better yet, I'll just reverse what was done to us and have us transported to the nearest girls’ bathroom!” His face became serious. “Have you forgotten where we are? There are no bathrooms around, so it's either go over there in the bushes and squat down, squat down right here where your boyfriend and brother can see, or pee your pants. Your choice.”
Ashley's face became redder and redder as John talked to her and as he finished she shuddered. “Listen here, you ass. We are in the middle of nowhere and Heaven only knows if we are even ON earth, so you'll have to excuse me if I freak out a little! Cut it with the jokes.” With that, Ashley turned and stormed off into the woods.
Jason turned to John. “Uh, John, I'm kind of with Ash on this one. You were kind of an ass right then.”
John sighed and hung his head. “I know. I didn't mean to be. Maybe the stress is getting to me too.”
“Well, you should probably go after her, don't you think? I'll wait here for you guys. I really don't want to be there for this conversation and it's between you and her.”
John nodded. “Yeah, I'll go apologize to her. We have to stick together. Wait here.” John turned and raced off into the woods in the direction that Ashley had gone, calling her name.
John had gone perhaps a quarter mile north when he heard the sound of rushing water. Calling out Ashley's name again, he continued forward and came upon a small stream. He looked around and found Ashley upstream a bit, throwing stones into the water. She saw him, but turned her back on him as he approached.
“Ashley, I'm sorry,” John said to her back. “I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I guess it was just the stress getting to me. We need to stay together - we’re all each other has. Will you forgive me?”
Ashley sniffled and rubbed her eyes, before turning to face him. Her mascara was running, creating strange patterns on her cheek similar to ink splotches used in psychology tests, and her eyes were red. She stared into his eyes for a moment before breaking down and letting more tears flow. “Oh, John,” she sobbed as she embraced him and lay her head on his chest. “What are we going to do?”
John placed his hand on the back of her head and ran it down her neck toward the center of her back. The other found a place in the small of her back. “I don't claim to have all the answers, babe, but I have a feeling we're going to be fine. We'll get to see our families again. We just have to figure out what happened to us and reverse it somehow.” In the back of his mind, John knew that such a task was easier said than done, but he knew that Ashley needed to hear reassurin
g words right then.
For a time, the two remained in that position. Neither spoke while a mutual assurance of comfort passed between them. Finally, Ashley raised her head from John's chest and looked up into his eyes. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Ashley.” He leaned in to kiss her and she met him halfway. As their lips met, their kissing became fervent. All of the stress, fear and anxiety melted away in the heat of their passion. Several moments later, as they drew apart, they looked into each other's eyes and just stared. “Wow,” John said. “We haven't kissed like that in a long time.”
“I don't know that we have ever kissed like that,” Ashley said as she turned back toward the forest, a coy smile on her face. “Come on, we shouldn't keep Jason waiting much longer. You do remember where you left him, don't you?”
“Oh, of course. Come on, follow me.” John walked ahead of Ashley, took half a dozen steps and froze. “Ummm...did you use the bathroom yet?”
Ashley blushed. “No. With all this drama I forgot. Wait here.” She jogged to one of the large bushes along the river's edge, squatted down behind them, did her business and returned to John a few moments later. “Okay, lead the way.”
Retracing his steps, John led Ashley to the clearing where he had left Jason to go in search of her. Stepping out of the woods, John saw Jason standing there talking to a man.
The man was short and stout, with night black hair and fine clothing. He was gesturing animatedly at Jason. “Do you know when your friends will be back, young man?” John heard him ask as they approached. He had an accent that sounded strange to John's ears. It reminded him of how Italians spoke English. Behind the stout man was a hulking beast of a man, rippling with muscles, his bare chest covered with tattoos and his head shaved. He carried a large wooden club in his hand.
“No, I have no idea. In fact, I don't even know...” he trailed off as John cleared his throat. “Oh, you found me.” He sounded strange. It sounded like he was unhappy that they had found him.
“What's going on here?” John heard himself asking, as he put voice to his inner thoughts. He moved to place himself between the stout man and Ashley, keeping his eyes locked on the stranger.
“Ah, there are your companions!” The stout man exclaimed, clapping his hands and stepping around Jason. He studied John, and Ashley behind him, for a moment, his eyes flickering between them, before settling his gaze on Ashley. “My, what a beautiful creature you are, my darling. Such exotic clothing! Where do you come from?”
John cleared his throat and tried to step further into the line of sight between the stout man and Ashley. Something didn't seem right about the man. Jason was acting strange, the hulking man seemed ominous and the stout man seemed to be oozing charm in an effort to put them at ease. The man reminded John of salesmen, in particular car and furniture salesmen. “We're from...very far away. You wouldn't know of it.”
The man's eyes flashed for a moment and the grin dropped for a second, though it may have been John's imagination, before returning even larger as a smirk. Yes, this man was dangerous. “Oh, well I have traveled much of the world, young man. There is a good chance I have heard of your homeland.”
“No, I doubt you have,” John insisted. “It's named Earth.”
“Earth? Like the ground we walk upon?” the man asked. He laughed. “What a silly name for a land.” He held up his hand, forestalling any reply from John. “It doesn't matter. What matters is that between your fair skin and exotic clothing, among other assets,” he stepped sideways and his eyes drank in Ashley, “you will be very valuable - to the right buyer.”
“Buyer? What are you talking about?” This time Ashley stepped out from behind John and stepped forward. John took hold of her arm, urging her to go no further, but she shook him off and continued toward the man. “We are free citizens of the United States of America, and we will not be sold.”
“Ah, so now you are from some...united states,” the stout man asked. “Your man lies to Horacio?”
“Not exactly,” Ashley began.
“I don't care!” Horacio shouted. “You will be made slaves, regardless of where you come from. Perhaps the exotic name of your homeland will even fetch a higher price for you. Guards, take them!”
Around the clearing, several hulking guards in leather armor complete with iron helmets appeared. A few had crossbows, while others had their swords drawn. One of the men held iron cuffs in his hands, while others dangled from his belt. Trundling forward was a large cart with an iron cage atop it.
“Wait,” Jason screeched. “Surely we can talk like civilized people and work this out. We have money – we can pay.”
“Let me see this money,” Horacio said, turning back to Jason.
Jason reached into his back pocket and pulled out his money clip. In it was several green dollar bills. He held out the wad toward Horacio. In the background, he could see John hanging his head and shaking it.
Horacio grabbed the paper and looked at it. “What is this? Some trickery? You think that paper will buy your freedom?” He threw back his head and roared with laughter. His men joined in as he held the paper aloft. Letting the paper fall to the ground, he stepped on it with his boots. “You are more stupid than you appear – perhaps I will not fetch as much as I thought for you.”
“Wait, please, there must be...” Jason was cut off as Horacio raised a hand and the hulking bald man behind Jason slammed his heavy club into the side of Jason's head. Jason's eyes rolled back into his head and he crumpled to the ground.
“Jason!” Ashley exclaimed and tried to run forward. She was halted, however, as John grabbed her around the waist and held her back.
“We have to run,” John whispered in her ear. “Come on.” Taking Ashley's hand, he turned, and was faced with several guards pointing swords in his direction. There was no escape.
“Oh, I will thoroughly enjoy your company this evening, my dear,” Horacio said as he turned his attention back to Ashley and John, his eyes locked on Ashley. “Before tonight is through you will have known a real man...and perhaps some of my guards as well. Clap them in irons and load them into the cage.”
Ashley, her face bloodless in response to the lewd actions the man had alluded to, stood in shock as a guard came along and placed iron cuffs on her wrists.
John struggled as the cuffs were placed on him as well, but ceased his struggling after one of the guards threatened to beat him unconscious if he didn't stop squirming.
Chapter 3 - Homecoming
Boris walked down the dirt road toward the small village of Vergingrad, his black boots throwing up small clouds of dust in the dry summer air. Thin puffs of smoke from cooking fires drifted from the chimneys of the thatch roofed homes in the town of his birth. He stopped and stared for a moment. It's been too long, he thought. Will anyone remember me? He continued down the road toward the village limits.
The village looked much like it had when Boris had left years before – like an island among a sea of farms. The people of Vergingrad were a strong, hardy people, well-accustomed to cold, bitter winters and bouts of famine during dry spells. This particular summer looked to be one such period. Reaching into his cloak, he pulled out his canteen and took a long swig.
Coming into town, Boris caught the gaze of many townsfolk eyeing him with suspicion. Strangers seldom traveled so far north away from the Imperial highway. As a boy, his father used to say the road only brought tax men, slavers or Imperial guards to town. That hadn't been strictly true, for some merchants or peddlers would visit from time-to-time, but more often than not undesirable visitors came down the road toward their sleepy town.
Like most small towns in the Imperial highlands, Vergingrad had only one small inn, nestled on the east side of town with its back against the Vergin river. As Boris approached the ragged front door to the Winter Hare, he noted that the sign, creaking in the slight north breeze, was half rotted away. It seemed that hard times had indeed come to town.
He cast a shadow
as he entered the tavern. Looking around, he noted only a handful of patrons sitting scattered throughout the room. A single scrawny woman with disheveled hair the color of mud sulked toward the table of one such patron, setting down a trencher of a gray slop of some sort, and a chipped wooden mug of a liquid Boris couldn't identify, with a loud plunk.
As she straightened from delivering the food, the white-haired man looked down at the trencher, looked up at her face and sighed. “More stew, Ingrid,” he asked gruffly. “Don't you have any bread, or anything else?”
The woman, Ingrid, was expecting the question, for she had folded her arms before he even began to speak. “Don't you start with me, Vladimir, unless you want to go eat slop with the pigs.” Without waiting for a reply, Ingrid turned and stalked toward the back of the inn. She did not spare a glance for Boris.
“Pig slop might taste better,” the man grumbled, but he dug his wooden spoon into the bowl and began to eat.
Boris approached the bar, watching Ingrid retreat into the kitchen. Taking a seat, Boris settled in to wait.
She returned a few moments later, carrying yet another plate of food and a cup, which looked much like the previous order. “I'll be with you in a moment,” she said, her voice curt, as she passed the bar. The second man did not complain about the food.
Returning to the bar, Ingrid glanced at Boris and spoke as she used her towel to wipe at the counter. “What will it be? We've got beef stew or lentil soup. Beef stew is five coppers, lentil is three. Beer is three as well.”
Boris looked at her for a moment. “Sister, don't you remember me? Have I changed so much?”
Her hand stopped. She looked up, furrowing her brows, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized him, searching. “Boris? Is that really you?”
Boris smiled. “It's me, Ingrid. I've come home.”
Time of Shadows (The Saga of the Seven Stars Book 2) Page 2