Thomas looked around in the dark. ‘What do the ghosts look like?’
‘No one has ever seen them, only heard the voices.’
Not long after they all went to their tents, except Asima and Tia who sat watch. Alex lay in his tent with Carrie sitting cross-legged looking at him.
‘So, what did you think of the story tonight?’ she asked.
Alex put his hands behind his head. ‘I’ve heard it before, it’s a true story.’
‘Bullshit, it can’t be true.’
‘I didn’t realise until tonight, but Marcy was Mother, and Henrietta was Briana.’
~~~~
The following morning after breaking camp they rode for a couple of hours before they saw shapes in the distance, and Torgon called them to a halt.
‘What is it?’ Alex asked.
‘Elf soldiers,’ said Torgon, ‘they’re our enemies, and are after us.’
Adhara grinned. ‘We’re not falling for that. We know you have no enemies here.’
‘We do today, and they’re coming for the children.’
‘Papa won’t let them get us.’
Alex shrugged. ‘They did offer me lots of crystals.’
Sarin turned in her saddle. ‘Papa, that’s horrible.’
‘I’m only joking with you, sweetheart, but if they get past us, you must hide. If they don’t capture you in four hours, you win.’
‘So it’s just a game?’ Sarin asked.
‘Yes,’ said Torgon, ‘and I think we should hurry toward those woods, as we know you’re very good in them.’
Thomas grinned. ‘We could hide from anyone in the trees.’
‘Remember elves have very good eyesight.’
‘OK, let’s go,’ said Tia, as her horse raced for the woods followed by the other children.
Torgon stared after them. ‘They’re not normal children are they?’
‘I know,’ said Alex, and chased after them.
They reached the woods and Alex jumped off his horse, and helped them off theirs. They were given a small backpack each which contained food and drink.
‘What do we do now?’ Adhara asked.
‘Go into the woods and don’t let them catch you. Try to find somewhere they can’t get to you.’ Alex stood watching as the children ran into the woods.
Luella looked worried. ‘I don’t know if this is such a good idea.’
‘Mother, they’re being chased by elves. If this had been on any other world I wouldn’t allow it, and House is watching over them.’
‘Can’t we go in and just watch them,’ said Summer.
Alex shook his head. ‘No, they would know, let them have their fun.’
Blaze dismounted. ‘If someone would be kind enough to put up a large tent, we can watch them through the crystal ball.’
~~~~
The children ran quickly at first, until they were a good distance from where they entered, and slowed to a walking pace. The gnome children were on the outside of them running and checking to see if there were any elves, their speed would keep them safe.
‘Where do we go?’ Shaula asked.
Adhara glanced around. ‘Straight ahead.’
Alhena scratched her head. ‘Shouldn’t we go right, as the elf army is coming from the other way?’
They are coming from both sides as there are two armies, said House.
Sarin looked up and smiled. ‘You’re with us?’
Of course, I will never leave you.
It gave the children more hope of winning and started running again, and turned when House told them to. It was nearly an hour when they noticed elves in the distance who were not being very quiet.
Thomas breathed hard. ‘We can’t run from them for much longer, they’re very close.’
Sarin scratched her head. ‘We have to find a place where they won’t look for us.’
‘This is no woods,’ said Adhara, ‘it’s much too big.’
Elf woods and forests can be very deceiving, said House. If you run as fast as you can, you will find the place to hide.
‘I can’t run anymore,’ said Talitha, nearly twenty minutes later, as she bent over gasping for breath.
Adhara put an arm around her. ‘You have to.’
‘I’m not as strong or as fast as you, and will slow you down,’ said Talitha, with tears in her eyes. ‘Go on without me.’
‘We don’t leave our friends behind,’ said Gearoid, and picked her up like she was a doll. ‘We run.’
They did run, but the younger ones were also tiring when the seven wolf cubs appeared and the children climbed on. They saw the elves getting closer all the time, as they came to a hill with an opening.
Adhara stared into the darkness. ‘What is this place?’
It is one of their mines, said House. They will not follow you inside.
Sarin glanced up. ‘Why wouldn’t they follow us into one of their own mines?’
Tia’s eyes grew big. ‘Because it’s the one Lord Torgon told us of, it’s haunted.’
‘Is this true, House?’ said Adhara.
Yes, I believe this is the place.
Sarin rubbed her nose. ‘And you want us to go in there?’
You will be safe inside.
‘What about the ghosts?’
The one in the story last night was not scary.
‘No,’ said Tia, ‘but I don’t think any of our grandmas will be in there.’
You know many people said our home is haunted, but you still live there.
‘You mean the mansion?’ said Adhara.
Yes, both George and James told your papa it was haunted. It did not stop him from going inside and spending the night in there.
‘And is it haunted?’ Alhena asked.
Yes it is, and I am the one who haunts it.
‘But you’re lovely, many ghosts can be scary and you’re no ghost.’
No, I am a spirit, but many people would say it is the same thing.
Shaula walked towards the mine. ‘Let’s go inside.’
~~~~
Thalion stared at the ball. ‘They’re very quick.’
Alex nodded. ‘They might need to slow down and take their time before they run out of steam.’
‘And have you taught them this?’ said Claire.
‘No, but I never expected them to be chased by an army of elves.’
Adair pulled on his beard. ‘The elves are making a lot more noise than I would have thought.’
‘How can you tell that?’ said Claire. ‘The ball does not give off any sound.’
‘Just go outside the tent, and you will hear it.’
‘They’re doing it on purpose,’ said Torgon. ‘They’re not really trying to capture them but direct them to the mine.’
‘Oh no,’ said Alex, ‘Talitha is sad, I’m going to get her out of there.’
‘You will not,’ said Luella. ‘This is your idea.’
‘Only part of it was my idea,’ said Alex, as he saw Gearoid pick Talitha up and run with her.
Fergal beamed at the ball. ‘You forget there be gnome children with them.’
‘You must be very proud of your youngest.’
‘I’m proud of both, but that be the first time either of them had to make a decision.’
Alex patted him on the shoulder. ‘Well I’m happy he made the right one.’
‘They’re at the mine now,’ said Blaze.
‘Time to stop watching the ball, and wait.’
‘Are you mad?’ said Luella. ‘We won’t know what’s happening.’
‘No, but the children will want to tell us of their adventure. We’re here because I told them spying on people is bad, it’s time for us to stop spying on them.’
‘How will we know they’re safe?’ Blaze asked.
‘We’re on the Elf World, and House is with them. Please let them have a little freedom.’
Blaze wrinkled her nose. ‘Maybe I just want to watch and not miss what they do.’
‘You do know you
can watch history on that thing, and see everything they did.’
‘How do you know that? I’ve never been able to do it before.’
Alex tapped his head. ‘Dunno, have you ever tried it?’
‘Well, no, so how far can I go back?’
‘I believe it’s only as far back as when you first used the ball.’
‘Well that’s not very good.’
‘Try it,’ said Thalion, ‘we will be able to see their battles.
Blaze did and the furthest memory was when she met Alex for the first time. ‘I never had the ball then, it’s more to do with you than me.’
‘Show the first time Alex met Carrie,’ said James.
Blaze did and the image was of Alex walking over to the shocked Tia. He picked her up and she sobbed in his arms. The image changed to when he saw Carrie for the first time, and the pause between them looking at each other was agonizingly slow before she embraced him. Luella shook her head when she saw it. She had just seen love at first sight.
‘We should be thinking of the children,’ said Alex.
Blaze raised an eyebrow. ‘You said we shouldn’t look.’
‘No, we should leave the tent and wait.’
‘Are you embarrassed by that?’ Carrie asked, as she held his arm.
‘Not at all, it’s a very fond memory for me.’
‘Which part?’
‘All of it, the lovely Tia and getting a hug off the most beautiful woman in the world.’
‘I was not expecting you to say that,’ said Carrie, and kissed his cheek.
‘I think I need a chat with mother,’ said Alex, going a little red.
‘And I need to chat with Aileen,’ said Carrie.
~~~~
The children ventured in to the dark mine with their night-sight, except the gnomes who could see fine without it. They walked through tunnels until they came to a big open area. The children huddled together as they heard a strange noise.
‘Is that what a ghost sounds like?’ Shaula asked.
No, it is what wind sounds like, said House. There are many tunnels with gaps in the walls that are making those noises.
‘So there are no ghosts in here?’ Adhara asked.
No, but if the elves come in, I can pretend to be one.
The children started looking around as they now felt at ease. The crystals were everywhere, some were shaped like the camp fires, but all were clear from what they could see.
You need to find the light stones if you want to see what colour they are, as your night-sight will not show you.
It did not take long for them to find the stones, and soon as they touched them they lit up. The large cavern was soon full with a myriad of colours. The children stood in awe as they looked at the ceiling with the colours all mingling together. Thomas tried to move one of the crystals, but it would not budge.
Sarin glanced up. ‘How do we move them?’
‘They have to be broken with the tools, but there is nothing to protect your eyes.
‘The green ones are over here,’ said Shaula.
Thomas shrugged. ‘It’s no good if we can’t break them up.’
I might be able to help there, said House, and there was a cracking sound as a piece broke away.
Talitha was more interested in looking around, and she walked over to part of the cavern which looked unexplored. She stood staring at a glistening part of the wall when the ground beneath her gave way. She fell, giving out a short scream.
That was close, said House, as she floated in the air.
‘Are you going to take me back up as it’s dark down here?’
Open your hand.
Talitha did and a light stone appeared lighting up the cavern she had fallen into. ‘Wow,’ she said, and floated down.
Tal, are you OK?’ Adhara shouted down the hole.
‘Yes, and you have to come down here, as we’ve found the orange crystals, and it looks like gold,’ said Talitha, and within moments they were all down there.
‘You did it, Tal,’ said Tia.
‘No, we did it, I only fell down the hole, and wouldn’t be here if Gearoid didn’t carry me,’ said Talitha, and hugged the gnome.
I will separate the crystals for you. I suggest you have your lunch and make room in your packs, said House, and the children thought that was a very good idea.
~~~~
Alex rubbed his eyes and stared at the forest. ‘House is there anything you can tell us?’
They are sitting in the haunted mine having lunch.
Torgon shook his head. ‘How remarkable.’
Thalion grinned. ‘Yes, and just picture Roscoe sitting outside the mine while the children are eating.’
Claire looked confused. ‘He doesn’t really believe it’s haunted.’
‘No, but it does make an eerie noise.’
~~~~
Roscoe was indeed outside the mine waiting for the children to come running straight back out, but they didn’t. It was an hour after they arrived there when two little girls came out dragging a heavy-looking backpack.
Tia stopped and smiled at him. ‘Sorry if we kept you waiting, but we had lunch.’
‘You had lunch in there,’ said Roscoe, with a raised eyebrow. The elves were not frightened of the cave and there were a lot of them, but going in after the children was not in the spirit of the game.
‘Yes, and it was very nice,’ said Adhara.
‘We’re here to discuss the terms of surrender,’ said Tia.
Roscoe rubbed his chin. ‘I’m listening.’
Adhara stood with her arms folded. ‘We want someone to carry our backpacks as they are heavy, and someone to carry us as we’re tired now.’
‘That is acceptable, and you are surrendering?’ said Roscoe sadly, as he did not want to win.
Tia shook her head. ‘No, my lord, you are.’
Roscoe raised both eyebrows. ‘Why would we surrender?’
‘We have found a place to hide until the time is up,’ said Adhara, ‘but it would be unfair on you and your soldiers to be waiting all that time.’
‘That is very kind of you, but elves are very patient, and we will come inside soon.’
‘Did you bring many ropes with you?’ Tia asked.
‘No, we never brought any as it happens.’
‘Well, you might need them to find us.’
Roscoe stared at the two girls. ‘You’re very confident.’
‘Yes,’ said Tia, ‘and we are also fair, so we give you this chance.’
Adhara smiled. ‘We could always pay him.’
‘Well, we do have these,’ said Tia, as she opened the pack and took out some of the orange crystals.
Roscoe gasped. ‘You found those in there?
Adhara beamed. ‘Yes, and there are lots of them.’
Roscoe walked over and bowed. ‘Then we agree to all your terms and surrender.’
‘There are no ghosts in there it’s just the wind blowing through all the cracks,’ said Tia, as the other children appeared struggling with their backpacks and the elves helped them.
Would you like to see what they found? House asked.
‘Yes I would love to see it,’ said Roscoe, and appeared in the cavern with the two girls. His eyes grew big as he looked around. ‘This is the most wonderful sight I have seen in many a year.’
Hold on one moment, I will go and get someone else, said House, and within a minute Marakus appeared.
‘What’s all this?’ said the elf. ‘Where are we, and why are you with the children?’
‘What can you see, brother?’ said Roscoe.
Marakus stared at the crystals around the cavern. ‘How did you find this?’
‘I didn’t, it was eleven wonderful children who did.’
‘Where are we then?’
‘Underneath the haunted mine,’ said Adhara.
‘It doesn’t look very frightening,’ said Marakus. ‘Are Torgon and Thalion coming?’
No, said House, they are a pa
rt of the game and the children will show him what they have found.
‘Are you up for the walk back?’ Roscoe asked.
‘Only if you’re going to let me carry one of those children,’ said Marakus, since his weight loss carrying children was something he could do quite easy.
~~~~
‘We shouldn’t have given them so long to hide,’ said Alex, pacing up and down.
Why? They are here now, said House.
‘But that’s too soon unless they’ve lost,’ said Alex, as elves appeared carrying the children who were looking very happy. ‘You caught them.’
‘No, my lord,’ said Roscoe, ‘they offered us surrender terms, and we accepted. What you see before you is the victors being carried to their triumph.’
Torgon scratched his head. ‘Are you saying you surrendered to children?’
‘Yes, but not just any children, very special ones.’
Thalion looked bemused. ‘Marakus, I didn’t know you were here.’
Marakus put Adhara down. ‘House wanted me to be in on the fun.’
‘So, what did you get up to?’ Alex asked the children, and picked up Talitha who had him worried.
Sarin pointed at a backpack. ‘We found something, Papa.’
Thomas ran to Luella. ‘We went in there to hide and get some green crystals but found something else.’
Tia opened a back pack and pulled out one of the crystals.
Torgon walked over to her and knelt on one knee. He took the crystal from her and marvelled at it. ‘I’m almost speechless to what you have found, what would you have us do with it?’
‘It belongs to the elves,’ said Adhara, ‘it’s up to you what you do with it, and there’s a lot more in there.’
Thalion picked up a crystal. ‘You honour us with this gift and you will go down in the legends.’
‘Split it equally four ways,’ said Torgon. ‘Send it to all the kingdoms, and tell them the names of all eleven children who found it.’
‘Wasn’t it just a game?’ Thomas asked.
‘Partly, as we never believed it was a haunted mine, but we never knew there was orange crystals in there.’
Alex knelt by them, with Talitha still in his arms. ‘I’m so very proud of all of you, even if this little one worried me.’
The Final Destiny: Vesta Mansion Trilogy - Book Three - Fantasy Page 17