Crystal's appetite was back with a vengeance and she couldn't get the food in fast enough. Three muffins, two sausages, a pint of orange juice and a boiled egg later and she threw her hands up in defeat. "I'm done."
A strange, twisted look came over Nic's face. "Me too. But now I need a bathroom."
"Me, too!" John said.
Sure enough, as the words were spoken, two new doors appeared at the back of the room. The girl pointed to the two doors, and Nic made a bolt for the one on the left.
"Bingo." The door closed but a few minutes later they heard her call out. "At least they have toilet paper in this place. Bonus!"
"Thank God for small mercies," John said. "Okay, see you guys in an hour. I'll be in my office if you need me." And he soon disappeared behind the second door.
The three platter-bearers gathered up the trays and disappeared quickly. Stuart and Crystal were left alone.
She remembered what he thought he was going to say last night, and fearing a repetition of the same, looked suddenly embarrassed.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Stu asked. "You look, I dunno, awkward all of a sudden."
"Me, no. I'm just feeling homesick. I miss Jade and I miss...."
He reached for her hand and held it. "Your dad?"
"Well, yeah, but I was going to say my mom."
She looked down at his hands. They were much broader and larger than her own, and her own hand was lost in them. "What worries me the most...."
"Yes?"
She withdrew her hand gently. "Well, what if we don't make it back? Ever? What if we never see them again?"
"Don't think like that, Crystal. I expect that sort of talk from John, but not from you. We're gonna make it. From what you've told me, you've already beaten everything this place has thrown at you. It's just a matter of working through each step, one at a time. So, don't give up, okay?"
Stu playfully cupped her chin and she managed a faint smile. "Alright, if you say so," she said.
They heard the sound of a cistern flushing, and a moment later, Nic emerged, a huge grin on her face. "That's better. I was ready to pop!"
“So glad you didn't," Stu said. "It would mess up all this white." They all laughed.
Crystal rose and headed over to the rest room. "My turn. I better get in before Stu disappears for a century. What is it with men and toilets?" She pulled the door to with a cheeky grin, but as it closed, she thought about her mom, and the sadness returned to her.
The Quest
Half an hour later, the main door opened again, and two burly looking Guardsman stood in the opening, looking grim and carrying lances. They were albinos––so alike they could have been twins ––and both had menacing pink eyes that looked entirely devoid of feeling. Their appearance did not give Crystal a warm fuzzy about what was coming next.
"You're to come with us now," one said.
Realizing she had no choice, Crystal got up and walked to the door. Nic, Stu and John followed. "Where are you taking us?" she asked.
The other twin frowned and pushed her roughly through the door. "Prisoners don't ask questions."
"Charming," Nic said. She was rewarded for her sass by a poke in the backside. She jumped. "Ow, you keep your pointy thing to yourself. Did the queen say you could harm us? No, she didn't, did she? Well then, you two better behave, otherwise I'll tell her what bad boys you've been."
They continued the journey in silence, barely taking in the palace scenery. Crystal guessed that like herself, they were all worried about what Ella had in mind for them. Whatever it was going to be, it couldn't be any good.
She felt a hand clasp her own. It was Nic, and she knew they were both on the same wavelength.
The front guard turned, saw their clasped hands, but said nothing. They continued in silence.
The corridor went on forever. And it was full of the strange walkers, all dressed in white, gliding on by, never looking at them, their expression never changing. What was their purpose, where were they walking to, or from? Would she ever know?
"Can't say I'm going to miss these ugly weirdos," Nic said, "whatever happens next. They make my skin crawl."
Crystal nodded.
The guard looked back again. "Silence."
At long last, they reached the end of the corridor, where two more Guardsmen stood sentry over two enormous doors that were at least a hundred feet tall. As they approached, the doors swung miraculously open. Crystal craned her neck to see how they operated. If it was some kind of thought-control, as unlikely as that sounded, could she learn how to do it? But try as she might, she could not see how they worked.
She wasn't entirely sure what she expected. Perhaps some large Colosseum-like arena, full of bored spectators, all itching for a blood sport. Or a sandpit full of hungry lions, drooling for Christians, ready to tear apart the first combatant with a tired arm and poor sword craft. At the very least, she imagined the doors would open to a panoramic view of the city of Somnia.
Instead the view surprised her. Birdsong filled the air, and the four moved closer to the doors, anxious to see what lay beyond them. The scene ahead of them could not have been more idyllic. The city perimeter sloped downward for several miles, but the buildings on this side of the city were no more than two stories, so they could see to the land beyond. The grass seemed greener than it should be, and the trees were tall and perfect, more like an artist's impression of a tree, rather than a real one. And dead in the center of it all, was a crystal blue bay, heading out to the greater seas beyond. The water was so still, and so perfect, it mirrored the world around it.
"Looks like the cover of a fantasy novel," Nic said.
"Pretty," John agreed. "So, what now?"
As soon as he spoke, two cloaked figures slipped out from behind the door and joined them. One was taller than the other, but they both had their faces covered. Instinctively they all took a step back, but were immediately pushed toward them by the two albino Guardsmen.
"Where do you think you're going?" said one.
"I think I left something in my room," John said.
He was rewarded for his cheek with a push that propelled him to the front of the group. "Nice."
They all waited for the cloaked figures to speak. The shorter of the two revealed herself by throwing back her white hood. It was Ella. In the unnatural light of this strange place, she looked more beautiful than ever. Crystal felt a tinge of jealousy, and not for the first time.
"Are you ready for the quest?"
"No," they all said together.
The corner of Ella's mouth curled pensively. Yet she continued as if they'd all said yes. She nodded toward the sea. "Out there, your world meets mine. I have been long tied to this one and now wish to return to the old lands. Yet there is an impediment. A monster patrols the bay, allowing no one to pass. Her name is Ursula. You are to defeat her and take something back that was stolen from us. That is your mission."
Nic was the first to laugh. "Another monster. What are you thinking? There's no way we're going up against another one of those."
"And if we refuse?" Crystal asked.
"Then none of you will ever leave this city. Ever."
They all groaned, but Crystal was determined to get everyone home in one piece. “How are we to defeat this thing, and what does she have that we're supposed to take?"
"She wears a chain about her neck, and on that chain is a pale blue gold filigree dagger. You are to return this dagger to me."
"Blue gold?" John asked.
"Yes."
"Can you at least tell us more about this Ursula? What kind of monster is she?" Crystal looked out to sea, wondering.
“Legend tells us that Ursula was the most beautiful of the merpeople,” Ella said. “She fell in love with a traveler from your world, an otherworlder, who came in through another door somewhere out there in the ocean.” She motioned toward the sea.
“Frustrated by a love that could not be fulfilled, he eventually abandoned her. Devastated, and with all the
fury her people were famed for, she pursued his ship and caused it to flounder on some rocks. Cursing her name, he stabbed her with his own dagger. He perished, and all that was human about Ursula perished with her love. But to answer his curse, the boat spewed black oil into the sea, covering her from head to fishy tail. The black scourge would never wash off, and afraid of contamination, her own people imprisoned her in this bay."
"How can you be imprisoned in the sea?" Crystal asked, thinking this reminded her of one of the story's in the book on her dresser.
"Her people from the deep sea turned to their cousins, the sirens. They wait and watch at the edge of the bay, allowing no more otherworlders in through the ocean, and will not allow Ursula out to pollute the great waters. Lonely and shunned by her own people, they say her love has turned on her, and she is a toxic, tormented thing."
"What could she do to us?"
"Ultimately, she will try to drown you, but first, she will consume any love and hope in your heart. She will not let you die until your misery and despair mirrors her own. She can read your very soul; some even call her the Soul Whisperer."
Stu scratched his forehead. "Okay. Assuming we agree to all this nonsense, how do we find her? And what makes you think we won't just try and escape?"
Ella turned to the second cloaked figure beside her. She raised her hand, and on her signal, the taller figure removed the hood of his cloak.
"Jake!" Crystal and Nic cried together.
"I was hoping it was you!" Crystal continued.
Jake did not respond. He looked as vacant as all the other city dwellers, although he looked sound enough. Crystal prayed there were no cuts or bruises beneath that cloak. “What have you done to him?" she demanded.
Nothing," Ella said. "He is simply asleep."
"But his eyes are open!" John argued.
"Jake is to be your guide," Ella said, ignoring him. "His mind will wake up when it's needed, which will be soon. The sea is not as close as it seems, but he will get you there, safely."
"Safely?" John asked.
"Ursula is a creature of the night, not the day. You will find Somnia a different place by night. There is no city wall to pass through, but our exposed shoreline is patrolled by Empusa. Jake can assure you safe passage."
"Empusa?" Stu asked. “Another monster?”
"Another beauty. A vampire who patrols our sea border. She has a particular deformity, and so, being vain, likes to keep it hidden. But if you encounter her––beware. Her methods are a mystery, and there is little I or Jake can tell you to help you defeat her, should she appear. Face Empusa, and you'll have no means to subdue her."
"Great. Another challenge. We like those," John said. "I don't suppose you'll arm us with weapons to help us defeat her?"
"You have your wits," Ella replied. "That is all you should need. For now. But hear this. If you try and escape, we will find you. But there is no hope of escape through my city. Our sewers, which you so successfully navigated on your journey here, have now been secured. Return to the city without the dagger, and you will be imprisoned in a perpetual nightmare. Your only hope is to return the dagger to me. It is the only way back to the otherworld for you."
"But why?" Crystal asked. "What is the significance of the dag--?"
"SILENCE! You do not question me. I'm the queen, and I will be obeyed."
It was hopeless, and they all knew it. And then Stu's face lit up. "Well then, I suppose we'd best be off," Stu said. "There's no point standing around here. We might as well get this over with."
Crystal gave him a curious look. He seems a little keen to get going. What's that about?
Whatever it was Stu was trying to communicate, she didn't get it. But one thing was for sure, he was right, she was not going to discover what it was standing here.
"You must return with the dagger before the sun sets on the second day. Fail, and you will remain in my kingdom forever."
"Great. Awesome motivational speech. Thank you for that," Crystal said.
The albino Guardsmen held their lances horizontally and pushed them all forward. Crystal's head was chock-full of questions without answers. But one thing was certain; Ella was right. They had no choice but to do as she asked.
Crystal stepped through the hundred-foot-high doorway into the open countryside. As soon as the others did the same, the huge doors shut behind them with a resonating boom! The city was behind them, and once again, they were on their own, with nothing but their wits to protect them.
Dinner and a Movie
At last, Crystal found her courage and looked back. No one was behind them––just the great white walls and that monster of a door.
Jake walked alongside them, but so far had said nothing at all.
"Jake!" Crystal said at last. "Are you okay? Did they harm you in any way?"
It was like someone switched a button and his brain turned on. Jake was back! It was as if he'd become one of the walkers and was only responding when prompted. "No. At least I don't think so." He ran his hands up and down his cloak, as if feeling for injury. "No, I think I'm fine."
"What happened after you left us?" John asked.
"I don't know." He frowned. "I've been asleep since then, but... well, the dreams I had were pretty bad."
Nicole gasped. "You mean she tortured you with nightmares?"
Jake nodded.
"Well that's just wrong," Nic said.
"Welcome to the land of dreams," John said.
"I'm sorry.” Crystal touched his arm, gently. "That must have been awful for you."
"I've had better dreams," Jake said.
Crystal left him alone for a second, but as much as she hated to question him, time was ticking on. "Can you tell us anything more about her––Ursula that is? Anything that can help us?“
"The legend. Not much."
Nic fell into step beside Jake and his face lit up, apparently pleased to have her walking by his side. "Well then, I don't know if you can answer this then, but I've been trying to get my head round it since back there. Ella said Ursula was covered in crude oil. But that this was a long time ago, in the past. Right?"
"Yes."
"Well, like how long? How would such a ship get here? Those things are fairly recent, and more importantly, they're huge."
"Ursula followed many ships. Some were rowed with oars, manned by blond men with plaited hair. And others were very fast, and hard for her to catch. Our legends are full of many such stories."
John coughed, then stepped in between them both. "Now you're talking about speed boats? Am I right? So effectively what you're saying is, travelers here can come from any time, not just the past?"
"I guess."
"Have you seen many otherworlders?" John asked.
"Not in my time."
"It's all got me baffled," Crystal said. “My head hurts just thinking about it.”
"The trick with time travel is not to try and understand it," John said, adopting a superior tone. "Too many paradoxes. We talk about this a lot in role-playing."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Nic laughed.
Jake laughed too, though Crystal supposed he had no real idea what either Nic or John were talking about. She was also surprised that Jake had developed some kind of thing for Nic. Even more surprising, was that it didn't bother her at all. There wasn't a spark of jealousy. And yet just a little while ago she would have done anything just to have him look in her direction. But then, this wasn't that Jake, she reasoned. He might as well have been a complete stranger.
Crystal glanced over to where Stu lagged a little behind and smiled warmly at him. "I am so glad we're all together again."
"Me too," Stu said.
Crystal walked beside him. "So, what were you thinking back there? When you said, 'I suppose we'd best be off'?"
"Oh, just something I thought should have been blatantly obvious."
"And pray tell what that might be, Sir Clever Clogs?"
"That we have a much better chance of
escape out here than we did back there."
"That's it?" Crystal said, a little disappointed. "I thought you might have some master plan or something?"
"Nope. But at least we're here and out of that lunatic palace."
And where is here? Crystal looked up at the picturesque two-story white buildings flanking them on either side of the road. This small village was empty, there were no walkers. The only sounds near and far were the birds and the sound of their own feet as they trudged along the downward sloping road.
"Have you thought about escaping?" Crystal whispered. She motioned to the others who were walking a little ahead. "And keep your voice down. I don't know if he can be trusted now." She meant Jake. "I mean, as soon as we're out of sight of the city, we could change direction and run for the forest and try to reach the curtains."
"True," Stu said. "I mean, it's not like Ella hasn't sent a company of Guardsmen to escort us or anything. We could run off at any time."
"Okay," Crystal said. "But let's play along for now. We've no idea how to get back to the curtains and could be looking for them forever. But if an opportunity should arise..."
"I agree. So, we play along for now until an opportunity presents itself, and then we make a bolt for it."
She nodded.
"Hey, Jake!" she called out loud. "Is there anything you can tell us about this Ursula woman? If she is a woman. Or anything helpful, for that matter?"
"I'm sorry, no. I don't know much about anything. I'm not even sure why she set me free, seeing as I was trying to help you."
Crystal had wondered the same but said nothing.
"Well, we need a guide, and you're the only one who knows his way around this place," Nic said.
John scowled but said nothing.
"Crystal." Stu put his hand on her forearm to slow her down a little.
"Yes?"
"Be careful of John," he whispered. "I think he fancies that crown."
She didn't reply but nodded. He didn't have to tell her that. She had been thinking the same thing for some time. But she was glad Stu had seen it too. "Yeah, but if that's what he wants––why not let him have it? Let him be King of all he surveys. At least then we can all go home."
Sorcery & Sirens Page 14
