by T M Caruana
“Europa Point,” he ordered abruptly.
I felt nervous. It would have felt more settling if Tarus had been in a good mood when we met up with the others. Now I would have to meet a group of strangers without any support, without the security of a friendly face. Who were the people I would meet? Were they kind people or were they simply kidnappers, who would ask for ransom to have me returned alive to Switzerland? Tarus had already repeatedly commented that his only duty was to make sure I returned home safely.
“Please Tarus, can you tell me a bit more about the others and where we’re going?” I pleaded, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling in my stomach as I tried to win him back as my accomplice.
His eyes didn’t budge as he looked out of the taxi window, trying not to give in to an inch of my appeal.
“No, I have nothing more to say. From now on you’re on your own.”
8
REUNITED AS ONE STRENGTH
His voice was adamant, so trying to convince him otherwise was useless. I folded my hands in my lap and straightened my back proudly to await my fate.
Gibraltar it seems is a pretty small place with fewer than thirty-five thousand inhabitants, the distance from one end of the peninsula to the other wasn’t more than seven kilometres. It took no more than ten minutes to go through two tunnels, past Rosia Bay beach, past the man-made waterfall pouring out of the cliff and a mosque, before we reached the final destination in the car park at Europa Point. This is said to be the southernmost tip of Europe, but was in competition with Tarifa in Spain. The chatty taxi driver explained all the facts as we drove past.
On arrival Tarus shoved me out of the taxi so I almost flew to the ground. I took a few steps away whilst he paid and swung the door shut. He then started to walk towards the sea without including me in his mission. I saw nowhere that he could disappear to unexpectedly, so wasn’t in a hurry to catch up. My feet felt heavy and so did my bag, now that I had to carry it myself. He stopped next to the information office and waited for me as if he had just twigged that I was his mission, a prize he had to hand over at the finish line. I took advantage of that and strolled nonchalantly past him. In a way, it would be nice to meet other people who would hopefully not have as foul a temper as he. I pondered on the thought that the others couldn’t possibly be worse than Tarus and it made my steps a little easier.
Europa Point was equipped with a playground containing climbing frames, swings, slides and rocking horses in several bright colours. However, I didn’t fail to notice that I couldn’t see a single person. I continued walking and rising up on the left I saw a cute little white lighthouse with a red stripe. The next sight, however made me freeze to a standstill.
“The pink flowers!”
It was the first time I had seen them in their natural environment instead of in a vase by my bed. There was a whole bed of them, like in a fairy tale. They were mesmerizingly beautiful. We had already walked past a little open area, featuring eight tables with benches in a frame around them. Straight ahead was an old gun emplacement bearing the name ‘Harding’s Battery’, which sat on a round platform facing the sea. There, on top of the platform, stood what I assumed was a man, given his muscular build, but disguised with shoulder-length blonde hair.
I felt a hard burning shove in my back that made me lose balance and tumble. The fall would have broken both my wrists if it hadn’t been for the steady hold that kept me from the ground. My knees straightened out, without my command; until my body was closely pressed in a bear hug against the chest belonging to the man I had just seen on the platform. How had he come to me so quickly? A moment ago he had been on the hill and now he was here, catching me from my fall. But with all I had seen of Tarus’s magic tricks, perhaps it wasn’t surprising that this figure also had supernatural skills.
“Now I have completed my part of the agreement,” said Tarus before he strolled further away from us towards the sea, to lean against the railing that separated the edge of the rock cliff from the waters below.
“Finally,” the man whispered, with his cheek against my head without conceding an inch of the firm grip, a grip so firm that I was pleased of my ability to hold my breath.
Confusion washed over me about this individual’s behaviour. The feelings he expressed for me seemed tender, just like Tarus, when he was in a good mood. Was it possible that I had a load of crazy fans in a world that I had never known? It was all very strange. In an effort to get an answer and encourage the man to let go of me, even slightly, I tried the same technique as with Tarus.
“Hi, my name is Susy,” I muttered with difficulty, due to my face being buried in his chest.
He placed his hands on my shoulders and pushed me a little away from him, but with his face still inches from mine. His eyes moved from one side to the other, deliberating over something.
“I told you she had forgotten everything!”
I could hear a derisive shout from where Tarus was standing leaning over the railing.
“It is I, Hunter,” he introduced himself softly in return, with sympathetic, but puzzled voice. “I was afraid that this would happen, but I didn’t think it would be so fast,” he continued and I wasn’t sure if he was talking to me or if he was affirming his speculation to himself. “I had hoped that you knew the exact location of the portal as we haven’t been able to resolve all the equations on the map.”
His voice quietened and I assumed it was my turn to take part in the conversation.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what everyone wants me to remember. I have lived with my father at the institute in Switzerland since I was a child. I’m probably not the girl that you seek.”
Speaking the last sentence out loud, it struck me that this must be the case. I realised the mistake they must have made. Of course, they must have mistaken me for somebody else. Maybe I looked just like someone they were searching for. I had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“No, haha!” he laughed out loud, almost like Santa on Christmas Eve. “No! I think I recognise my own sister-in-law. Trust me. You have forgotten who you are because you have lived on Earth far too long. I promise, everything will come back to you when you get home.”
He spoke confidently and there was something in his eyes that made me trust him. His eyes…they were just like mine. A lot of people had commented that my eyes were almost purple in colour with a distinctive black rim. He had the same rare eye features. Wherever he claimed I came from, he must also be from the same place. I have to say, his attire inspired more trust than Tarus’s black image. But he didn’t seem to come from another world as implied. I reviewed his casual clothing: a blue checked short-sleeved shirt that wasn’t completely buttoned up, over a pair of khaki trousers. The trousers looked to be made for the outdoors with pockets on either side, which could explain his sturdy hiking boots that were hardly necessary in Gibraltar at this time of year. I deliberated further over what this middle-aged man had meant by us being family, my brother-in-law? Was it possible? That meant I had to have a husband or a sister.
We both stood silent and still, probably because no one knew where we should start. The cool wind of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea gusted relentlessly and forced our blonde hair to dance with the wind.
“Do I have a sister…or husband?” I asked bluntly.
“Well…or…a sister figure, depending on how you look at it. You live with the Royal Children, Noah and Nina. Nina has always been like a sister to you and she is my wife. We have a son together, Nick,” he explained proudly.
“But if you have been here for twenty-five years it means that you have missed your son’s entire childhood as a sacrifice to bring me home. Why?”
Guilt drenched me like an ice cold shower. The hours outside my ward in Switzerland had been nothing but upsetting and I worried even more about my decision to escape. Perhaps it would have been better if I didn’t exist at all.
“Incorrect,” he said, as if we were playing a quiz. “In
our world, aging isn’t the same as here. Nick will still be young, equivalent to two years old on Teli, when we return home.”
He spoke quickly. He must have understood that I had many questions and was too polite to dismiss them even though they were probably not important.
“If we get home,” he continued in despair.
“Then I must be older than thirty, although I don’t remember that far back.”
It was an unimaginable thought that I couldn’t wrap my head around and, since it required more explanations, I decided to avoid the subject.
“But…” I began, but realised that it would be best if my next question wasn’t louder than a whisper. “If I’m so important, why did you assign Tarus the job of delivering me here? He doesn’t exactly have the most inviting personality.”
I noticed that Tarus’s head had rotated slightly and I guessed my whisper hadn’t been soft enough. Hunter’s smile and sparkling eyes couldn’t be misinterpreted; the two definitely had unsettled differences.
“True, but he’s the only one I trusted with that task as he has more than one reason to keep you alive,” he whispered back, knowing full well that Tarus could heard every word.
He didn’t seem to want to confirm Tarus’s honourable reasons and it left my curiosity unsatisfied. I decided to drop this topic until a more suitable time.
“Everyone at home must be so worried about us.”
I didn’t want him to think I was going to give up on the whole adventure.
“As for Nina, she is as strong as an ox. She knows what she wants, she chose me from all the men of Pixi, a simple weapon maker. I’m sure she’s fine.”
A smile came to his eyes when he thought of his wife. His affection for her was obvious. “As for Noah, no one knows. He disappeared the day you were kidnapped and no one has seen him since, or at least that I was aware of until I came here to Teli. The loss of you was too much for him to bear.”
His face was more serious now as if he had been reminded of a sad past.
“So I am a princess then?”
My voice was sceptical, but succeeded in changing the focus of the conversation.
“That’s one way of seeing it, Your Highness,” he teased with respect in his voice and a short bow that made me smile a little.
“I know you have many questions about who you are and your strengths, but I think we need to sit down and look at the map to see if we can figure out if we are at the right location. The portal opens at seven o’clock; about thirty minutes from now and then we must all be ready to leave. Tarus mentioned that you had the third part of the map.”
His organisational skills were evident and I could understand why he had been sent to rescue me, and to lead the others.
“Tarus didn’t trust me with the map,” I answered, pointing over at him. He was leaning against the railing overlooking a panoramic view of Morocco and Spain, with the red colour of the sunset reflected over the mountain peaks.
I was silent as my thoughts had wandered off, thinking of what powers I might possess and why I couldn’t use them now. It wasn’t long before Hunter had moved with the wind, so quickly that he was almost invisible over the open space and was back with the map in his hand. Tarus and he had exchanged strong words with each other to Tarus’s obvious displeasure as he cast a quick glance my way and then turned his back on Hunter. It seemed that Tarus had an equally foul temperament towards all living beings.
“You should stay away from him, he…he isn’t from our world and we can’t trust him,” Hunter urged bitterly, which only meant that there was nothing more to discuss.
The white concrete benches were cold against my thighs when I sat down and the round shape of the table meant that we sat closer than was comfortable. He looked at the map and began to read the poem.
Find Your dreams in the rainbow way,
Count two lights revealing a starry day,
The brave knights will see You through,
The kind of seven are waiting for You,
Within You lie memories deep,
They will shine when You are asleep,
When You gathered what’s been apart,
Make sure You find the secret heart.
I read along silently as he read the poem, knowing it by heart. A tear fell from my eye. The poem wasn’t the same when not read by Vic. It had lost all its magic. Hunter gulped and looked down at the map again to avoid seeing my tears. He drew his finger along the equation that was at the top of the left corner of the piece of paper in order to concentrate.
“Qa, Qb = 2(Q^)abP^,” he said loudly to distract himself from my sobs. “Captain Lalo 0360724,0052075.”
His voice was loud and clear. “I have no idea what that could mean. The red colour symbolises this world, Teli. The seven knights are the Order and then it must be the memories that you have deep inside you. It’s the only thing I can get out of the poem,” he said, shaking his head. “Samuel is the maths genius in the group. He should show up any second and probably have a theory on how everything will be resolved,” he affirmed to himself rather than to convince me.
He must feel tremendous pressure as head of the group. I couldn’t help but think that he hadn’t only been chosen due to his organisational skills, but also because he genuinely seemed kind.
“Is there anything about the others that I should know before they arrive?” I prompted.
“Let’s see. My best advice is probably to show respect to Kora, she is easily offended. Don’t start a conversation regarding private matters with Leo. He has become very reserved since Pallas died…a long story, and he can be a little sensitive about it.”
He shuffled his feet on the ground, apparently equally as nervously as me.
Great, I thought. Leo seems to be another man with mood swings. I hoped the trip home wouldn’t take long. My ears suddenly twitched as I heard a merry song, muffled in the wind, but the sound reaching all the way across to where we were sitting.
“Don’t worry, be happy!”
The song could be heard more clearly each second and I felt at ease over the friendly melody.
“Michael…” Hunter explained and smiled keeping his gaze on the floor whilst he awaited the new character’s arrival.
The presentation had just extended to the newcomer’s name, which suggested that the man didn’t find it difficult to entertain a crowd himself.
“Hey guys! Long time no see, and what do we have here? A rescued princess!”
He gave me a welcoming hug and I was pleased it hadn’t been as hard as Hunter’s.
If one were to identify personalities, he was definitely the joker of the group. The biggest smile I had seen in my life shone white in contrast to his chocolate brown skin. His long hair made his torso look short in contrast to his long legs; much like Goofy in a clumsy performance. In the next second I felt his fingers in my throat.
“Say ah…there is nothing wrong with you,” he diagnosed. My eyes revealed my confusion and fright.
“Michael’s the personal doctor to the king of the lost City of Gold, on Medi. Unfortunately, his profession has made him forget how to behave in front of ladies,” Hunter glared at Michael.
“Don’t always be so serious Hunter. Don’t worr…”
His melody stopped abruptly as he looked towards Tarus, followed by a shake of his head.
It seemed that Hunter wasn’t the only one who disliked Tarus.
“Can I poison him?” he asked mockingly, as if it would have been Hunter’s decision.
“Can you do that?” My delight came a little too enthusiastically, prompting both men to laugh out loud.
“Maybe later, now isn’t a good time.”
Hunter still seemed amused by my poisoning idea and kept his smile.
“Aha, Susy you have acquired a Swiss accent. I like it. Very charming,” he laughed, whilst shaking me enthusiastically.
“Good you’re here.”
Our giggles were interrupted by a stern voice. In astonishment,
I felt Michael’s hand pressing my mouth shut. A tall figure approached gracefully, as if she were floating above the ground. Her amber eyes seemed not to react to the emotions of others. My spirits sunk to the floor and I felt very small, threatened by her proud, unyielding posture. Like Hunter’s and mine, her long black curls also danced in the wind.
Whilst I waited to be introduced, I couldn’t stop staring at her perfect figure. Only a long white tunic hanging from one shoulder masked her perfect form. There was no introduction; the silence was more than unpleasant. She just stood there and looked at us all. When she saw the Asian-looking man arrived, she moved away…well, she floated over to the other side of Michael. Judging by his handshake, greeting and the proper introduction as ‘Samuel’, I assumed he was the one who had become most familiar with Earth’s culture and customs.
“Are we missing anyone?” he asked, without taking the time to look around.
“We are just waiting for Leo now, he is usually punctual and he should be here any minute…if nothing has happened to him,” Hunter replied, looking worried.
“Don’t be so dramatic, he will come,” Kora snapped.
“Have you started to use words instead of manipulating our emotions?” Samuel murmured.
I could sense another rivalry in the air. It was strange that a group harbouring such hatred had been mobilised to come to my rescue.