by Dale Furse
Orenda stepped forward. ‘I will wait for Nell.’
‘Please, Orenda,’ said Dar-Seldra. ‘I’d like Annet to see someone she knows when she opens her eyes.’
Orenda said, ‘I understand.’
‘You can travel without my aide,’ the nurse said to Orenda.
‘She doesn’t know where I live,’ Dar-Seldra said, and the nurse nodded in understanding.
While they were talking, Carl bent over Annet.
‘I’m sorry Carl, but Corls can only take one other,’ Dar-Seldra said. ‘This is Annet,’ she said to the nurse. ‘Please make her comfortable on the sofa.’
Carl said, ‘Shouldn’t she go right to bed?’
‘No. The Grarls had tended her well and from what they told me, Nell did too. I don’t think she’d want to be separated from everyone, do you?’
‘No she wouldn’t.’
‘We will depart then,’ Fellder said, and scooped Annet up gently in her arms. ‘Ready?’ She asked Orenda.
Nell couldn’t believe such a small person, albeit a Corl could carry another person so easily. The nurse regarded Annet with compassionate eyes. Nell knew her adopted mother was safe.
Orenda glided next to the nurse. As soon as she touched Fellder’s arm, they vanished.
‘We could ask some Krolls to take us or…’ Dar-Seldra looked at the black Grarl, ‘I’m sorry, we haven’t been introduced.’
‘I am Ephry,’ the prince said. He bowed with a flourish of his arm. ‘Prince Ephry Klim of Grarlon.’
‘Prince,’ Dar-Seldra said, giving a nod of respect. ‘I’m sorry. I should have known by your colour.’
‘Don’t fret about it, beautiful lady. If I’m not mistaken, you were about to ask me to take you to your home.’
‘Well, yes I was,’ Dar-Seldra said. ‘If your strength has fully returned and if you can find Orenda?’
‘I am complete and I can always find my betrothed.’
Everyone looked questioningly at Nell, who shrugged. ‘Don’t ask me.’
‘Gather around me,’ he said in a regal tone, and held his furry little arms straight out horizontally.
‘You can take all of us at the same time?’ Carl asked.
‘Yes, we are stronger than our size indicates.’ Ephry gave a squeaky laugh.
Sam looked at his father, shrugged and stood behind one arm. Nell and Dar-Seldra positioned themselves behind the other arm. Carl hesitated, but when the prince looked at him, he moved to his son’s side. ‘That’s correct,’ Ephry said. ‘Take hold of my arms.’
They did. A whoosh of wind and then they were in Dar-Seldra’s spacious living room. Annet lay on a couch and appeared to be resting comfortably. Mekie hovered over her. Carl wasted no time going to his wife’s side.
Mekie had grown out her sun streaked blonde hair. Nell thought it made her look much older.
‘G’day Mekie,’ Sam said.
Mekie twirled around, her pink baby-doll dress catching on Annet’s belt. ‘Sorry,’ she said, unhooking the material from the belt clasp.
Nell was relieved to see Annet’s small smile.
‘Mum, you’re all right?’ Sam rushed to her side with a grin like he’d been picked for a major football team
Carl moved to her head. ‘How do you feel, sweetheart?’
Dar-Seldra’s laugh was light and melodic. ‘Don’t crowd her, you two. She still needs to recuperate, and I think she’s been out of bed long enough. Carl, could you pick her up carefully and follow me?’
He did, but Annet objected.
‘Shh, a little rest won’t hurt you,’ Carl said and followed Dar-Seldra through a door.
Looking from Nell to Sam, Mekie said, ‘If I couldn’t go to Earth, I’m so glad you had to come here.’
Nell glared at her cousin. She knew Mekie didn’t mean to be insensitive, but it was typical of her selfishness to think only about herself.
‘Oh, I don’t mean I’m glad Annet’s hurt. I just meant … I meant that …’ Her eyes darted around the room as if she couldn’t think of what to say.
‘I know what you mean,’ Sam said. ‘Don’t tease her, Nell.’
‘Oh, you,’ Mekie said, tossing her hair back and rolling her eyes.
‘Nell,’ Orenda squeaked.
Nell turned to find Orenda curled up in an armchair.
‘Orenda,’ Nell said, ‘I’d almost forgotten about you.’ She looked at the prince. ‘And you. What are you two going to do now?’
‘We could try to sneak back to Grarlon,’ Orenda said. Straightening her legs, she had to slide forward so she could hang them over the chair. ‘After what I saw you do on Earth, I think we would have a much better chance of freeing the royal family if you came with us.’ Deep admiration rested in her eyes as she gazed at Nell.
Warmth filled Nell’s cheeks and she diverted her eyes to her slip-on sandals. Great. The balance between student and teacher had somehow shifted. Why did things always have to change?
‘No, my pretty,’ Ephry said. ‘I too admire Nell’s talents, but we cannot allow an outsider to interfere with Grarlon politics. She will only make matters worse.’
Orenda sent the prince a narrowed sidelong glance, but remained silent.
‘Don’t worry, my pet. I have a plan to free the captives.’
Raising her eyes to the hovering prince, Nell said, ‘But I want to go and get Dad and Kandar.’
‘I cannot and will not allow it. Your powers might be strong, child, but against thousands of Grarls, you would be overcome. If there were but two more spellbinders, the battle would have not gone your way.’
Ugh. Why did everyone insist on calling her a child? She brought the fight, the intensity of her force, to mind. She didn’t think the prince was right about the battle at Cape Hollow, but had to admit, thousands of spellbinders and enchanters would be a far different story.
‘Remember too that many of the revolutionaries are threatened by the return of the people of Wexkia. They enjoy being the most powerful species known and will not take kindly to your interference.’
‘You are right, Ephry,’ Dar-Seldra said, as she came into the room and sat on the sofa Annet had occupied. ‘However, what about Dar-tern and Kandar?’
‘As I said, I have a plan,’ Ephry said.
‘Well, are you gonna tell us about it?’ Sam asked.
Prince Ephry’s eyes narrowed as he shot Sam a disdainful look. ‘I was speaking to Dar-Seldra, Human.’ He faced Dar-Seldra once more. ‘We, Orenda and I, will collect all loyal royalists from wherever they might be and storm the palace. Once we are sure my family and your friends are safe we will ask to meet with the revolutionaries.’
‘And if they don’t accept?’ Orenda squeaked.
Ephry shrugged. ‘Then Grarlon is at war.’
Nell threw her hand over her mouth stifling a moan.
‘Do not worry. We will bring your father and Kandar back before the battle with the insurgents begins.’
Nell frowned. Perhaps some of what the prince said was right. Too many people were still scared of the Wexkians; even Orenda was frightened of her when Nell first arrived on Corl. And she had to keep in mind, the Grarls’ powers and the fact Grarlon wasn’t a member of the United Council. Huh, just another thing for the rebels to use as an excuse for an all-out war. They would use that and their people’s fear of the return of Wexkia, to sway many of the royalists.
She sighed. ‘I agree, Prince Ephry. I will stay out of Grarlon politics. It would do no good to interfere and risk you losing the royalists because of their ingrained fear of my people.’
‘You can’t be serious,’ Sam said.
‘Sam,’ Nell began. ‘If my appearance tips the balance for the revolution, the whole status quo of the universe could be destabilised.’
The prince gave a small bow of his head toward Nell. ‘I thank you for your understanding.’
‘Yeah, well,’ she held her hands up to indicate her understanding would only go so far. ‘So long as we get Dad
and Kandar back.’
Ephry bowed again. By the haunted look in his eyes, she was certain he understood her meaning.
CHAPTER FOUR
CARL CAME BACK INTO THE ROOM. ALTHOUGH HE looked tired, the mischievous glint had returned to his eyes.
‘How’s Mum?’ Sam asked.
Carl chuckled. ‘She wants to take a tour of Corl, but I managed to persuade her to get some sleep first.’
‘She will be weak for some time,’ Dar-Seldra said.
Carl nodded. ‘I know, but you might like to make that clear to her.’
Dar-Seldra laughed. ‘I will try.’ She turned to the Grarls. ‘I hope you will join us for the evening meal.’
Nell noted some excitement in Dar-Seldra’s voice.
‘We have royalists to enlist in our struggle and we must begin now,’ Ephry said.
‘Wait,’ Orenda said, gliding off the chair to stand by the prince. ‘Perhaps we can stay for a short time longer.’
‘Orenda,’ the prince began, but halted at Orenda’s pleading look.
Nell wondered why Orenda wanted to stay when they had so much work to do. The enchanter must know why Dar-Seldra was so elated.
‘I suppose we can spare a little more time. We do have to eat, and we can start when the bars open.’
‘They have pubs here?’
‘If pubs serve intoxicating liquor as bars do, yes. Grarls like to meet in those places.’ He faced Dar-Seldra. ‘Thank you. We would be pleased to stay.’
Nell watched Orenda closely for a moment. Had she noticed the excitement in Dar-Seldra’s voice too? Something darkened Orenda’s eyes. Worry? No. More like concern. Huh. The little enchanter definitely had a reason for wanting to stay. Lesel was the one for reading people by pure instinct. ‘Oh,’ Nell said. ‘Lesel should be here by now. She doesn’t know you’ve switched houses so she probably went to Tish’s place.’
Dar-Seldra said, ‘I will contact them and also ask them to join us.’
Nell looked at the table and frowned. It could sit six comfortably, but any more guests would be uncomfortable.
‘We can extend the table.’ Dar-Seldra said, and then almost danced through the dining alcove and through the door behind into the kitchen.
Nell and Mekie followed her into the kitchen, but no matter how hard Nell and Mekie tried, Dar-Seldra wouldn’t allow them to help. She said it was her dinner and she meant to make it the finest feast any of them had ever eaten.
When Nell and Mekie returned to the living room, it was empty.
‘Where is everyone?’ Mekie asked.
‘I have no idea,’ Nell said. Sam’s laughter floated out of Annet’s room. ‘Well, we know where Sam is, but Orenda and the prince said they’d stay.’
‘Never mind. Grarls are used to coming and going as they please. They’ll likely be back before dinner.’
‘Yeah, you’re probably right. How about showing me to my room?’
‘It’s this way.’
Nell followed Mekie through a double set of okfor doors set in the far sitting room wall. They stepped onto a boardwalk surrounded by gardens. The ceiling of the roof washed the floor in a glow of soft yellow. On either side of the walkway, small shrubs and flowers of all kinds from different planets grew. The flowers had closed, some slightly, some all the way. ‘It’s beautiful,’ she said.
‘Wait until you see it in the morning. The flowers wake up and stage a wonderful show of colour, and see there?’ Mekie stopped and pointed to her right at a narrow gravel path. ‘That goes to a Phib paradise.’
‘What’s there?’
‘I’m not going to tell you, you’ll just have to wait to see for yourself.’
‘Meanie.’
Mekie laughed and pranced on her way.
Nell dawdled after her cousin, still taking in the gardens. Open double doors greeted them at the end of the hall.
Mekie turned left, and shouted. ‘Hurry up.’
Picking up her pace, Nell found her cousin standing outside a door a short way down another hall.
This is it,’ Mekie said. She flung the door open and waited for Nell.
Nell’s mouth fell open. ‘Wow.’ The massive bedroom had an equally massive bed. An open door on the right signalled the bathroom. She hurried through and laughed. A huge sunken bath took up the end wall, and a shower area, big enough to hold three large adults, covered most of the opposite wall. A half wall at the end of the bathtub indicated the toilet.
‘Do you like it?’ Mekie said, standing alongside Nell.
Nell wondered where the door that connected to an adjoining bedroom was hidden. ‘Where’s the other door?’
‘There isn’t one, silly. You have the bathroom all to yourself. Every bedroom has one.’
‘I think I might like staying here,’ Nell said with a giggle. ‘Where’s Sam’s room?’
‘His is the first door on the other side of the open hall. Four here in the East wing, and mother has the North wing all to herself.’
Nell noted the small sulk in Mekie’s tone. Spoilt brat. Just like Mekie to want a whole wing all for herself. She returned to the bedroom and bit her cheek. ‘Uh, oh. I haven’t brought many clothes.’
‘You can borrow some of mine.’
‘Thanks.’ That was okay for Nell, but what were the others going to do? They Hadn’t brought clothes either.
A buzzer sounded and she searched for its source.
Pointing to the blinking light of a communicator on the bedside table, Mekie said, ‘It’s like an Earth pager. Mother is telling us to go to her.’ She moved closer to the communicator. ‘This light tells you that she’s in the sitting room.’ Nell stepped closer. ‘See?’ Mekie continued. ‘Every room is labelled.’
‘Cool,’ Nell said, gazing at a floor plan of the entire house.
Sam glanced up from the small square table as Nell and Mekie entered, and said, ‘We were wondering where you were.’
‘Mekie showed me where my room was,’ Nell said.
‘Why didn’t you tell me? I would have come with you.’
‘We’ll show you later,’ Mekie said. ‘Did you want to see us, Mother?’
‘Yes. Sam has extended the table so you can set it now.’
The musical doorbell rang and Nell turned to answer it.
Dar-Seldra said, ‘I’ll go, Nell. You and Sam help Mekie set the table.’
Although the alcove was big, the extended dining table filled the space so much there wasn’t enough room for chairs at either end. Dar-Seldra must have run out of dining room chairs because the one closest to Nell was more like a soft cushioned armchair.
Mekie pulled sliding doors out of the two side walls and closed them. ‘We don’t want the guests seeing the table before Mother’s ready.’
They worked quickly under Mekie’s guidance. Sam put everything where she told him but hardly spoke a word.
‘What’s up with you?’ Nell asked him.
‘Nothing. I just wish you told me where you were earlier. I really was getting worried about both of you.’
‘Oh, Sam. I can look after myself.’
‘I suppose, but I overheard the prince tell Orenda that it’s not safe around here anymore. Rebel Grarls know where the prince is and now he’s worried that he’s put everyone here at risk.’
Nell laughed. ‘We’ve all been at risk for a long time, but I’m sort of glad it’s not because of me this time.’ She laughed and hit him on the shoulder. ‘Aren’t we used to it by now?’
Sam’s shoulders visibly relaxed as he chuckled. ‘Yeah, I guess.’
Mekie pushed through the kitchen door and threw a pile of napkins on the table. ‘What’s so amusing?’ she huffed.
Bursting into laughter again, Nell said, ‘Oh, stop being paranoid, cuz. We weren’t laughing at you.’
Sam moved closer to Mekie and threw his arm around her shoulder. ‘I’d never laugh at you.’
‘Hah, you’d better not.’
‘At least, not if I can help it.’
Mekie hit his chest, but leaned in closer when he squeezed her shoulders. She sprang away at the appearance of Orenda.
The enchanter’s eyes widened as she stared at Mekie, and said, ‘Your mother wants you.’ She washed her gaze over Sam and Nell. ‘All of you,’ she said and vanished.
Mekie said, ‘Come on.’ She opened one of the sliding doors just enough for them to squeeze through into the living room.
The prince and Orenda hovered in the living room. They were sitting with their legs crossed, but appeared ready to launch into battle at a second’s notice.
Nell stared at them. They must really be worried the rebels could attack the house. She only noticed Tanat was there when he rose from the sofa.
‘Ah, there you are.’ He came over and hugged Nell. ‘Good to see you, Nell.’ He let go, greeted Sam, and grinned at Mekie. ‘Cheer up. It’s not the end of the universe.’
Mekie gave a small smile.
Dar-Seldra entered with Lesel, Tish and Kale.
Nell wondered how Carl and Annet would react to the Corls. Carl had hardly noticed the nurse or any of the other Corls they had seen at the restoration and Annet was so out of it, she wouldn’t have registered anyone.
Tish’s fine mosaic-lined skin was lemon-coloured and Kale’s was green. They weren’t anything like their ancient ancestors, the lizards, but they were still very different from Humans.
‘Hi,’ Nell said to Tish and Kale. She gave Lesel a hug.
Sam said to Kale, ‘G’day, mate. When are you going to grow?’
Kale hadn’t gone through his next shedding so he was still the same height as the last time Sam had seen him. Nell peered at Kale’s jade-green skin. It appeared as if it was ready to burst. ‘Shouldn’t be long, huh, Kale?’ Nell said.
Dar-Seldra showed her guests to the dining room. ‘Won’t be long,’ she said, and went into the kitchen.
Tanat followed her as Carl walked up with Annet in his arms and placed her into the armchair. Annet smiled, but her skin was still too pale.
‘I think it’s too soon for you to be up, Annet,’ Nell said.
‘That’s what I said,’ Carl said. ‘But she always wins in the end.’
Annet groaned as Dar-Seldra returned, ‘Can you please tell everyone I’m all right?’