Lesser Prince (Guardians of Gaeland Book 1)

by Jamie McFarlane

  “Ardt, get in the car,” Jessie instructed. Ardt looked up at her in surprise, opened the door and jumped in. The GPS voice instructed her to execute a U-turn. She thought he sounded annoyed, but couldn’t be sure. At least he hadn’t yelled.

  “Ardt, what did you have to do with this?” Jessie was furious.

  “Nothing, I swear! My Dad made me go. He said they’d give me a ride back. I thought you were all dead.” His voice had lost its normal arrogance.

  Jessie sensed that Ardt was probably telling the truth. “Do you have a cell phone?”

  “No.”

  “See if you can find one." Jessie turned on the dome lights so he could look around the cab.

  Ardt announced, “Here’s one,” and pulled a small black device out of the center console.

  Jessie had Ardt punch in her home number and then grabbed the phone when it started ringing. She desperately wanted to talk to Lester, but had to leave a message when the machine picked up instead. She looked at the time and calculated. It would be around nine thirty back at the ranch and he should be in for the evening.

  Jessie continued to follow the GPS and arrived at the gatehouse with a squeal of tires. Before she put the Humvee in park, however, Dauxal bounded out of the stone cottage. Jessie rolled down her window as he ran to the truck.

  “Jessie Elendahl. Oh, thank the stars, we were so worried.”

  “Dauxal, something terrible happened! The kids. They’re in terrible danger!”

  Dauxal opened the back door of the SUV and climbed into the seat behind Jessie’s. “Drive around the gate and head to the Main Residence.” He pulled a radio from his pocket and said, “Cheeks, are you there? It’s Dauxal.”

  “Hiyas, sweet pea,” replied a sassy sounding woman.

  “Cheeks, I have Jessie Elendahl with me and we’re headed to the Main Residence. Could you let them know we’re on the way? Also, could you locate Laux and have him meet us there?”

  “How far out are you?” Cheeks’s voice lost its playful tone.

  “Just leaving my cottage.”

  “Roger, Dauxal. Cheeks out.”

  Jessie knew the way from this point and sped toward the castle. When she arrived at the gate, the guards waved them through. In her rear view mirror she saw the gate close behind her. Jessie pulled up to the steps, stopping in front of Gela Parnassus.

  The woman embraced Jessie when she exited the vehicle and Jessie started speaking immediately, “The kids ... I can’t reach Lester. Blackhall, someone named Blackhall. We …”

  Gela stopped her, “Jessie, please. Come with me so everyone can hear. Lester is on his way and will arrive in a few hours.” Dauxal led Ardt away as the women hurried up the stairs and into the castle.

  Gela pushed open a set of wooden doors and they entered a dark-paneled office. A long rectangular table was surrounded by a dozen leather, high-backed chairs. Several people were already gathered and looked up expectantly at the new arrivals.

  Leading Jessie to a chair, Gela sat next to her and then addressed the gathering, “I believe everyone knows Jessie Elendahl, at least by name. Jessie, around the table are: Thetius, Laux, Naminee, and you already know Dauxal. Please tell us what’s happened.”

  Jessie recounted the evening’s events, trying not to leave out any important details. She watched their faces, fully expecting them to run her out of the castle after contacting a local mental institution. Jessie didn’t care. Her children and the courageous young Prince Tigerious were in danger and she would scream her story from the tallest building if need be, until she got help.

  Laux broke the silence. “Princess Gelasius, if you would allow me? There may still be time this eve that I might reach the portal before it closes. I must make all possible haste.”

  Gela considered his words, “My dear friend, you do remember that the return portal was destroyed. There is no way to come back.”

  Laux stood without hesitation, “Yes, Milady.” As Laux stood, Naminee rose to her feet.

  “You have my blessing, Laux,” Princess Gela said quietly. Both Laux and Gela turned their attention to Naminee. Gela asked, “Naminee, do you have something to add?”

  “Yes. I have become quite fond of young Tigerious. I request that I be allowed to see this through as well.”

  “Very well. You also have my blessing, Naminee.”

  The room was quiet as they exited. Jessie finally broke in, “What does he mean about the portal closing?”

  Gela responded, “The portal will close at daybreak and will remain closed for a fortnight. That will be our next chance to utilize it.”

  Jessie responded, “Then I have to go with them. My children need me!" She paused and said, "But why couldn’t I go through the portal?”

  Gela placed her hand on Jessie’s arm, “The portal is of Faerie and is often unpredictable. We will likely never know why you were unsuccessful in passing through. You can keep trying. There is every reason to believe a future attempt may succeed.”

  “But Amber, Sam, and Tig, how did they get through?”

  “It was no accident that they were allowed through, I don’t know what this is about, but when Faerie is involved, there is no such thing as coincidence.”

  Jessie, unrelenting, pursued again, “Please tell me how I can get through! I have to help them.”

  “It is possible that with Lester’s lineage, he will be allowed to pass through. The Elendahls were once a very powerful elven family. As it is, we have no choice but to wait until the portal opens again. I only hope that Laux and Naminee are quick enough tonight.”

  “Elven lineage?" Jessie shook her head. "That makes no sense. Sure, he’s smaller than most men, but I’m no bigger than he is. Does he know? What is this other world?”

  Jessie’s rapid fire questions brought a smile to Gela's face. “Jessie, there is much for you to learn. Lester will arrive within a few short hours. Let me help you clean up. You should get as much rest as possible before he arrives and then we will resume.”

  Jessie heard the wisdom in Gela’s words, but struggled against the idea that there was nothing she could do to help the missing kids. Cold and fatigue threatened to overtake her and she pulled the coat she wore more closely around her body. She was still wearing the coat that Sam had so gallantly offered her. She nodded, “Yes. That makes sense.”

  Without further conversation, Jessie allowed Gela to lead her through the castle and upstairs to an elegantly appointed room. Someone had thoughtfully retrieved her belongings. Jessie showered and lay down on the bed, not expecting to fall to sleep.

  ***

  Upon exiting the meeting room, Laux picked up the handset of a phone on a nearby table. “Traux, no time to explain, this is an emergency. I need you to load Bale and Hoates with riding gear into a trailer and meet us at the front gate." Laux replaced the handset and jogged to the front door and down the stairs to Naminee who had already retrieved a truck from the garage and was waiting.

  “Glad you decided to come along, my friend.” Laux offered as he slid into the passenger seat.

  Naminee didn't wait for him to close the door before racing the truck out to the main gate. Words were exchanged with the guards who opened one of the massive doors to let them pass. She finally looked over at Laux with a grin, “Wouldn’t miss it for the world. If memory serves, it should be late winter, nearly spring in Gaeland.”

  “Sounds right,” Laux agreed. “Do you have a pack ready?”

  “Always do…” She was quiet for a moment and then added, “I wonder if they will have rebuilt.”

  “Sure they did. The Dread was banished and the Goblins were defeated. Life should be grand.”

  “Do you think the kids made it?”

  “I sure hope so.”

  “Blackhall better hope so too. Mark my words, I will make it my life's purpose to avenge them.” Naminee’s oath was so intense that the cab of the truck grew quiet. A few moments later they pulled up to a small grouping of log cabins. She left the tru
ck running, but doused the headlights as each jogged off to a separate cabin and returned with packs over their shoulders.

  Wordlessly they pulled out and the truck sped down the road past Faire Town. They finally stopped just off the road next to the great timber gate and Dauxal’s stone cottage. Within minutes, a truck pulling a two-horse trailer rolled up and Traux hopped out with a friendly wave.

  Laux addressed him. “Traux, nice timing, you are a good lad. I need you to accompany us if you don’t mind. I could use a driver.”

  “No problem, where are we headed?” Traux jumped back into the driver’s seat. Naminee and Laux tossed their packs into the bed and joined him in the cab.

  “Tonight, little brother, we head to The Crux.” Laux said.

  “Seriously? Someone opened The Crux? How can that be? Is that where the Elendahls were taken?” Traux lost his normally calm exterior.

  “Yes. We believe so.”

  Laux directed his brother along the winding mountain roads toward a destination he had all but forgotten. Once they pulled off the road, he instructed Traux to switch off the lights as the three would be able to see better without artificial light. As soon as their eyes adjusted, Traux drove down the deeply rutted entrance past the ruined pillars, toward the Crux.

  “Stop,” Laux’s voice was quiet but forceful. “Can you see them? Look there, past the small bend in the roadway, you can just make them out. They know we’re here and are setting a trap for us.”

  Traux responded quietly, “I don’t see anything. Oh, maybe … okay, got it.”

  “They have night scopes, see how that one is looking in our direction? When we're ready, turn on the lights to blind them. Naminee and I will dispatch them. Give us a count of thirty and then drive up the roadway. If you hear shots, though, duck down. The engine will provide sufficient shield.”

  “Be careful.” Traux wasn’t crazy about his older brother’s plan but didn’t have one of his own. He pulled the lights and Naminee and Laux slipped out, making virtually no sound. Traux was unable to see where they’d gone and forgot to count for a moment or two. He started at ten to make up for his lapse and once he reached thirty, drove down the lane to where the figures had been hiding.

  By the time he reached the truck blocking the road, Naminee was already walking toward him, carrying a couple of rifles. The blockade vehicle roared to life and pulled into the woods, opening the roadway. Laux jumped out of the truck and pulled out his dagger, slicing into each of the tires.

  Naminee threw the long guns into the back of the pickup and slid in next to Traux. Laux piled in last.

  “Amateurs. Man, do I love amateurs. Blackhall must have been running out of money to have hired those men as guards,” Laux said, smiling.

  Naminee looked out the window and a wide grin broke out on her face, “No. Tell me you didn’t.”

  Laux didn’t answer but held up two belts.

  Traux looked at the belts and then back to Laux, “What are those for?”

  Laux couldn’t contain his laughter, “They hold up pants, silly lad. Especially pants that are missing buttons.” Laux made a show of tossing two metal buttons onto the dashboard. The three shared a good laugh as they traveled the final half mile to The Crux.

  A small glow was visible in the southeastern sky. “We haven’t much time. The sun will be up shortly," Laux said.

  Traux set out to outfit the horses for the other two. His easy way around animals helped him saddle them. He led them to the portal where Laux and Naminee had brought their packs and made quick work of lashing them just behind the saddles.

  Naminee clapped Traux on the back, “Be well, my friend.” With her pack securely stowed, she grabbed her horse’s lead and strode confidently to the portal. Upon reaching it, she walked into it with purpose. Her surprise was considerable when she rebounded from the portal as if walking into a rubbery wall. Again and again she tried, but the portal was unyielding.

  Laux led his horse up and waited patiently. “Naminee, I'm sorry my friend, but the portal has rejected you. Please stand aside and allow me to try.” She did so, but frustration was evident in her eyes. Faerie did not allow Laux to enter the portal either.

  “Something ill is at work here. We will return to Helicon.” Disappointment was thick in Laux’s voice.

  Winter's Bite

  Elven Glade, Gaeland

  Tig heard Sam slip off to sleep in the adjacent bunk, his pattern of breathing becoming steady and deep. He was envious of Sam’s calm acceptance of their situation. There were just too many unanswered questions and problems to overcome for Tig’s peace of mind. Surprisingly, being transported into a completely new world seemed to be the least of them. Tig’s forearm ached where Finias’s blade had torn through the skin and into bone. He’d seen a look of murderous intent in Blackhall's eyes. He’d never experienced that kind of single-minded hatred before and it was terrifying to have it all directed at him.

  Sam’s quick thinking had essentially saved them all, Tig mused. Had the dynamite exploded on the platform, Tig, Sam, Amber and his mother Jessie would be dead. But why hadn’t it exploded? How had Sam been able to move so quickly when they were fleeing from Blackhall? Could they ever return home? What if Amber’s injuries weren't repairable? Would he be able to heal his father? The questions swirled around and around in Tig’s head, threatening to overwhelm him. He couldn’t possibly sleep.

  Tig sat on the edge of his bunk and placed his head in his hands. He’d never felt so low and alone. He had seen how the Elendahls cared for each other and longed for that same sense of belonging and support.

  Amber stirred uncomfortably in her sleep on the bunk above Sam. Her injuries reminded Tig of his own ineptness. She’d come through the portal to save him. Her actions had been timed perfectly and had stopped Finias from cleaving him in two. Yet he really hadn’t been able to do much to keep her safe. Even now, she might be paying a dear price for helping him, the loss of one or both of her feet. The thought sickened him; such a vibrant, energetic, heroic, beautiful … Ugh …

  Realization struck Tig like a hammer. There was something he could do. He’d seen how Marmy had attempted to heal Amber’s legs. The glow from her hands had been real enough, but it was faint compared to what he’d experienced when he’d repaired the wounds the worg had inflicted on Laux.

  Tig knew what he had to do. He stood up and pulled back the light blanket that lay over Amber. It occurred to him that frostbite must be a fairly common event here if they actually had special boots for the occasion. The words of Marmy’s assistant still echoed in his ears, ‘If you’re able to keep your feet …’ It was such an awful thought.

  Tig wasn’t sure how his magic worked. Focusing the wind or even starting a fire was easy, there were focus words. Right now, though, he felt so small. Inadequacy wasn’t a new feeling for him so he pushed on. There would be plenty of time for that if he was unsuccessful. He placed his hands on top of the boots and tried to feel the wounds in Amber’s legs, but all he could feel was the odd texture of the boots she wore. He tried to remember what had triggered the healing of Laux and couldn’t come up with anything. He had to try something, anything. He desperately needed this to work and tears of frustration rimmed his eyes.

  Tig pulled at the boots, but was unable to figure out how to remove them. The liquid in them had formed a complete seal around her calves. It would have to be drained in order to remove the boots. He considered asking, but rejected the idea. Marmy would more than likely be opposed to it, having already tried her healing craft and failed.

  Tig steeled himself; there would be no turning back. He could wake Marmy now to help drain the boots or wake her to refill them if he was unsuccessful. Tig looked around for something to catch the liquid and found a bowl sitting on a nearby shelf. It would have to do. The boot closest to him drained easily as he pulled a small stopper from an orifice at the bottom of the boot. It was no easy task to catch the liquid and Amber stirred as he worked. The edge of Sam’s bunk
and the floor were getting pretty wet as Tig’s reclamation rate was only about fifty percent.

  With the liquid drained, Tig gently removed the boot from Amber’s calf. He heard a soft voice, “Tig. What are you doing?”

  Tig’s heart sank, he’d awakened Amber. How could he ever explain what he was doing? He could hear her admonitions before she even started. His face flushed with embarrassment. “Uh, I’m sorry. I was just worried about your feet.” Tig mentally rolled his eyes. He was doomed. She was going to think he was a complete idiot or, even worse, a pervert. He couldn't even make coherent small talk with girls, much less explain why he might be messing with their legs while they slept.

  Amber’s reply didn’t contain any of the reproach he was preparing for. “I think the boots are on to help, Tig.” Her calm tone surprised him. “Maybe you could go get Marmy to help put it back on.”

  Tig didn’t answer but rather pulled a globe nearer, letting it hover over Amber’s exposed lower leg. “Light please,” he requested. Tig couldn't contain his gasp. The end of her foot had turned black.

  Amber, who had risen up onto her elbows, saw it as well and sniffled in an attempt to hold back tears. “Please, Tig, go get Marmy,” she said more forcefully.

  Tig placed one hand on her ankle and the other hand directly on the darkest part of her foot and closed his eyes. At first nothing happened and he felt Amber becoming impatient. “Amber, be still for a moment. I have to try this.” Amber didn’t respond, which was good since she could have started screaming.

  Tig felt the damaged tissue under his hands. In his mind’s eye, he reached out to assess the damage and then a picture came into focus. He saw burst blood vessels where the blood had frozen and expanded, tearing the tissue. Blood could neither move through her damaged foot, nor could it leave. It was as if someone had mashed her foot with a sledge hammer. Tig concentrated on the damage and slowly the wound began to heal. He directed the tissue to repair itself, reopening the flow of blood through her foot.