by Talia Haze
When I blinked, we stood in a long, stone hall, and an enormous door rose before us. The door had ten keyholes in it. One keyhole was on the very top, two were below, three below that and four on the bottom. Carved into the stone of the hallway were the words,
Place the keys, all in rank,
But take caution; do not mistake,
For if success you fail to obtain,
The keys will go, you’ll start again.
“We must place the keys in order,” Angel said, eyes focused on the wall.
“We know, Oh-Great-Leader,” smirked Ryan. We placed the keys in order, turning each carefully. Each keyhole lit up when we pushed the key in, and a soft chime sounded at each turn. Angel turned the final key. The door cracked open, revealing a rainbow of bright light. The colors grew brighter and brighter until we disappeared from each other’s view in a steam of white.
Book Three
The Treasures of Tales
Chapter One
Nee Gus
“Finally.” Angel brushed off her skirt and looked cautiously around. “Agyra.”
We stood on a dark path surrounded by trees. Nothing looked any different; nothing felt any different...but it was all over. No more tales, no more mysteries. I should have felt more accomplished than disappointed, but I was tired and wasn’t sure what to expect. Now what?
Depash broke the silence. “I will part from you as commanded, but let me help first.”
“Explain,” Angel demanded, setting her jaw.
“There is a man not far from here that knows of all who pass through. Perhaps he will remember your parents.”
“How could you possibly know that if you have never made it here?” Connie demanded to know. Depash grinned weakly.
“Rumor.”
Angel waved her hand before her, silently consenting to his request. Depash nodded before leading us into the dark. They moved too fast. The dragons could see in the dark. I assumed that troll Depash could as well. My sister simply adapted. I couldn’t. My eyes strained and my worn body ached at every step. I tripped over everything possible, even small pebbles. I wondered how Connie faired.
Finally, the forest opened into a wide field. The fading moonlight contrasted the dark shade of the forest we left. My eyes adjusted enough to see detail and the dim light of a small home in the distance.
“Head for that,” Depash ordered. “Hali, iamo!”
We dashed across the field. Suddenly, Depash stopped completely, tilting his head back towards the sky. I scanned the black, starless sky, but couldn’t see a thing. It then occurred to me that he was sniffing the air. Being a troll certainly had its advantages. He caught wind of something, and a wave of panic engulfed his face. “Hali.” His voice was gruff, and he dashed off again, not bothering to give an explanation.
“What is it? Trolls?” I called.
Depash barely looked over his shoulder. “There are much worse things out here than trolls.”
“What?” cried out Connie. “What is chasing us then?”
“Imps,” Depash answered. “They are not chasing us yet. But they are here.”
“But what is an imp?” I asked. I wished I hadn’t. A high, screech echoed and was answered by several more screeches all around. My eyes strained in the dark, but I still couldn’t see anything; I couldn’t tell how close or far off it was.
“They know we are here. Ma-hali!”
I looked behind as I ran. The tall grass far behind rippled quickly, making a path in our direction. A tiny, black form quickly caught up. A creature with a short body and long skinny arms screeched and leapt from the grass, landing right on my shoulders.
I cried out, swatting at the creature who tangled in my hair.
“Do not let it bite you!” yelled Depash, skidding to a stop and turning back.
“How am I supposed to do that?” I screamed, grabbing the creature’s huge ears and twisting my shoulder away from its teeth. Even though the night was dark, I could clearly see the creature’s features. An ugly bat face with long, narrow fangs and giant black eyes. Its arms and legs sprawled out and lashed at my face as its snapping mouth neared. With a scream, I flung it away from me as hard as I could. It landed in the tall grass with a shriek, disappearing from view.
Ryan reached me and grabbed my hand, pulling me quickly behind the others, who again changed direction and ran towards the light that still seemed so far away.
Another shriek. Five more creatures jumped from the place that the first one landed. They quickly pursued on all fours.
“Why do we run?” Ryan yelled. “We’re armed!” He grabbed my arms and wrapped them around his waist, pushing me behind him. “Hang on tight,” he ordered. He put his left hand over my arms around him and used his right to grab his sword. It came out of its sheath with a shing and he stretched it out. “Don’t lose your balance, Bittersweet!”
We spun around and around. I tried my hardest to follow. Ryan held his sword out and we spun. Faster, faster, faster. I closed my eyes and buried my head into his shirt. The creatures screamed as they were cut. The others must have run away in fright.
Ryan suddenly released me, and I toppled to the ground in a dizzy stupor. His angry calls sounded far off. My head spun and my stomach swayed. I blinked, trying to regain my senses. In the darkness, I couldn’t even tell which way was up.
Something shifted next to me. I pushed myself to my elbows. One of the creatures got nicked by Ryan’s sword and was sat on my frock, licking its arm. Both of us were surprised to see the other, but neither of us were in a position to do anything about it. So, we sat, watching each other carefully, while trying to regain our composures.
It wasn’t black like the one that attached itself to my hair. It had light brown fur with a large red spot on its head. It trembled so much at my stare that its little ears twitched. Perhaps it was a younger one. It certainly wasn’t as long-limbed as the other.
I reached my hand out. It looked a little cute. Certainly, now that my senses returned, and I wasn’t in such a fright. It wailed and I drew my hand back. Perhaps, it was as much afraid of me as I had been of it. I took a breath and reached my hand out again. It wailed loudly, slowly fading into a raspy purr as I scratched its head. So furry and soft. The large, black eyes closed, and it growled lovingly.
“Dumplings, Gabby!” Ryan had returned and the others caught up. The creature sat comfortably in my lap. “You taunt me…!”
“What?”
Strong hands grabbed my waist and I was lifted to my feet.
“You cannot make a pet out of it!” Depash complained as he released me. I looked down at the awkward bundle in my arms. I knew that. But since I wasn’t so afraid of it any longer, I could examine my creature better. It looked just like a bat with the torso and lanky arms and legs of a human…though it was covered in light brown fur.
I scratched my creature’s head for a few more seconds before setting him down.
“E lay vou…ha te…reeksie lay oh in!” it said in a low, raspy voice. My heart skipped a beat and I felt the color leave my face. I heard those words before. Why did they fill me with such dread? “E lay vou…ha te…reeksie lay oh in!” my creature repeated.
The cave.
“What’s he going on about, then?” Ryan asked, turning to Connie.
The white, floating faces.
Connie shook her head. “I do not know this language.”
My creature finished its frantic scribbling in the dirt, and pulled at my skirt, staring at me intently. My strength left me, and I collapsed until I was eye-level with it. When did my creature become so menacing? Why did it stare at me so?
The others bent over its scribbles. After the gaze that seemed to last forever, it gently nuzzled my chin before darting off into the woods.
“What did it write?”
I already knew. The same words that the flying, wispy faces called when Connie was under the grip of the gems and screaming. At the time, I had been distracted by Connie trapped so
suddenly in a gem that I didn’t even ask if the boys saw what I had. I wasn’t even sure myself that I saw it.
“Elaev hte rxi laoen,” I mouthed as Ryan read it aloud.
“It is just what he said!” Connie noted. “I do not even recognize which language it is!”
“We shall figure it out later,” Angel said, pausing ahead with her hand on her hip. Depash again picked me up to my feet and we slowly followed the others. “Let us get into some light.”
Saramine knocked politely on the door. After a pause, an old hermit opened it. He looked almost as funny as Rumpelstiltskin. He stood only to my chest, although he walked very hunched. He wore plain brown pants and a dirty white shirt. When he saw us, he scratched his shaggy white beard and grinned broadly.
“Ahh! You’re here! Quickly, come in! Many creatures night have.”
We walked inside as the man closed the door. “Breath out of ye, heh? Be chasing ye, what have?”
“What?” muttered Ryan.
“Imps,” Depash answered.
“The blood suckers, ahh yes!” laughed the man. “Feed them do me and leave alone me do they! Nee Gus. Know all of you, me don’t. First you. Your name, what be?
“My name is Depash.”
“I’m Ryan.”
“I am Saramine!”
“My name’s Sean…”
“Ahh, so formal!” cried out Nee Gus. “Ease be ye!” he added, standing straight and majestic. “Not nobles man be me and not war at be ye! Your name, Dearie, what be?” he asked as he patted Connie’s hand and hunched over again.
“I am addressed as Connie.”
Nee Gus met my eyes and shot me such a pathetic look that both of us began laughing. “Her, what be? A princess or somethin’?”
The other’s joined our laughter. Connie kept her smile unchanged.
Nee Gus continued. “Here now, Seraphs, why be?”
“We are looking for our parents,” Angel answered. I cocked my head. What did he say?
Nee Gus didn’t see me and smiled broadly, locking his hand into Angel’s. She was startled, but continued, strongly, “I think they may have passed through here…”
“Yes, Angel,” Nee Gus agreed, “but now, why be?”
Angel’s face dropped. Nee Gus didn’t notice and sighed. “So beautiful be ye.” He turned and smiled at me again. “Gabriella, your parents, sent word, already they do?”
Sean spun to me, bewildered. I never said my name and neither did Angel.
“No,” was all I managed to say.
“Well,” he answered with a sigh, “if sent word they do not, then know where to go you are I do not. But stay! Tonight! Tomorrow, think I shall.”
We ate a small meal of cornbread and beef stew. It wasn’t much, but we weren’t very hungry. I couldn’t tell how late it was. It seemed we faced the goose girl days ago instead of hours.
“Only one bed for ye have me, but fit all ye, sure me.”
“I do hope he does not mean what I think he does,” Connie whispered as we followed Nee Gus through the cottage.
He did. Nee Gus lit the lantern and the dim light revealed a massive bed. It was huge. It was no longer than a normal bed, but it was very wide. Sean, Ryan and Depash could easily lie across it, head to foot.
“Dreams pleasant you have, goodnight!” cackled Nee Gus, closing the door behind him.
“I know what tale we’re in now, Bittersweet,” Ryan joked, counting heads.
Chapter Two
The Ring
I awoke alone in the massive bed the next morning. Sunlight poured into the cracks of the ceiling and the morning air wafted through the walls. I yawned and stretched as far as I could. I didn’t realize how tired I was. I lay for a moment, taking deep breaths and staring at every detail of the humble room. We made it! We made it through the fairy route!
I sat up. And now what? How were we to find our parents? No more riddles, no more help from the book, or from Stony. We would have to find our own way. Which way? How could we possibly find two people in a land so large? Were they even in this land?
Nee Gus hummed far off. Perhaps we wouldn’t have to…Nee Gus knew us. He had to know them. Perhaps he would figure out where we were to go. I lay my head against the blanket. We did it. Still, it seemed we had a such long way to go.
I gathered my things and clomped down hall. Nee Gus hobbled about the house, humming and putting bowls away. “Mornin’,” he greeted, clasping my hand and patting it. “Outside, others they be.”
I opened the door, shielding my eyes from the bright, morning sunlight. Everyone sat in a tight circle around Angel, who had a scroll in her hands.
“Grand of you to finally join us,” Ryan greeted. I shrugged and sat next to Connie. Grand of him to wake me up to begin with.
“Nee Gus says we missed your parents by a week,” Sean explained. “Apparently, we are early.”
I blinked. What did he mean by that? Only a week? We were in the fairy route for at least two! And we just missed them? How could it be? Perhaps if only we had started earlier, perhaps if we hadn’t taken so much time…so much rest!
“Your parents were to send word for us later,” Sean continued. “We were to meet them here when they sent word. They haven’t yet, and so Nee Gus says we’re early.”
I leaned back on my heels. How were they to send word to us? What if we hadn’t found the items in the cellar? What then? How then would they explain their miraculous resurrection?
“Nee Gus says they were headed to the kingdom of Thenowe, and he has given us a map.”
“That means we are a week behind,” Angel muttered, eyes fixed on the map. “Even more so. Nee Gus said they have horses. Who knows how far ahead they are? Look. The road curves around this forest here. Perhaps we can just go through. We could make it through the wood in only a days’ time instead of four like this road leads.”
“I am not certain that is wise, Aira,” Depash dared. “The road must go around for a reason. You do not know what kind of enemy could be there.”
Angel’s lips pressed together when he spoke, but she nodded. “That is true too. I certainly would not want to stumble upon an imp nest…although Gabby would just make friends.”
I smiled.
“Still, we need to catch up. I will consider it.” Angel followed the route with her finger, quietly muttering. “Once we are cleared of the woods, we will reach the neighboring villages of this kingdom to the west, Thelathini. After that, the kingdom of Hue…” she paused and ran her fingers over a thick black line that ran across the road.
“What is that?” I asked. Angel stared at it for a few moments more before resuming her stern countenance.
“We will concern ourselves with it when we get there. First things first.”
I rolled my eyes, annoyed. What could possibly be so concerning that she had to keep secrets again?
“After that is a massive river and finally the kingdom of Thenowe.” She looked up and stared at me softly. “We will have to discern how to cross this river. I do not wish to risk anyone else.”
I nodded, forgetting my frustration. She cared for me as much as I did her. She just didn’t show it the same way.
“How long do you suppose it will take us to get to Thenowe?” I asked.
Angel shrugged, eyes returning to the map. “By foot? A week. Perhaps two. I suppose just it depends which route we take at the forest.”
“Do not be so bleak, Angel!” Sean exclaimed. “Nee Gus said they are going to Thenowe. They are merchants; they must have business along the way. Perhaps they are even finished and headed back. We’re bound to cross paths soon!”
Angel relaxed. “You are right. Still, I cannot believe we just missed them.” Angel stood to her feet and brushed herself off. “But yes, at least we know where they are going.”
“Yeah, I had wondered what we would do after we left the fairy route,” Ryan agreed. “Stony didn’t tell us anything else.”
Angel stood, brushing her skirt off. �
�Prepare yourselves. We will leave within the hour.”
Nee Gus was generous and gave us what he could. Depash would stay a few more days to help him before setting off himself.
“Goodbye, Nee Gus! Thank you for everything.”
“Farewell, Seraphs. Nothing of it, think of. Renard my best ye give to.”
“In Inzi, there is no word for goodbye,” Depash said as Sean shook his hand. Angel smiled softly. “There is Iken-A, ‘We will meet again.’”
We followed Angel across the field and in only ten minutes, we reached the edge of the wood.
“This is odd, you know?” Ryan said, looking over the map as we walked. “Stony gave us instructions to find him, and we only just missed him here in this land…” Ryan trailed off and hung the map at his side. “But it seems…it seems as if his image is more recent than those other papers about the will and things…what’s wrong, Goldilocks?” he asked suddenly.
Connie had stopped several paces behind and stared at the sky. “I am not certain,” she replied. The sky was clear, except for a large flock of birds that darted across the sky. Angel also stopped, and bent her head slightly as she listened. “See that large flock of birds? See how they fly! Something startled them from the trees.”
Angel already spun on her heels. “Let us make sure everything is…”
A loud clamor interrupted her. We rushed through the trees and looked across Nee Gus’ field. About 30 soldiers dressed in gleaming silver armor marched towards Nee Gus’ home, far away on the other side of the field. They reached Nee Gus’ house and six went inside. A few seconds later, a soldier pushed Nee Gus out. A tall man wearing all black stepped before him. He had a long scar on his face, from the top of his right eye to the bottom left of his chin.
“Where are the seraphs? Word has it that they have arrived.”
“Talking about, ye be, know don’t me,” Nee Gus answered coolly.
“Oh, you want to play games?” the scarred man was annoyed. “Do not think my eyes haven’t seen. You have been helping the Tashin riders for years! I have left you in peace, Nee Gus. Now, which way you were told to send the seraphs? They have something I need.”
