The Emerald Throne

by Sarah Coley

  Eleanor had been so absorbed by the phenomenon’s going on around the car, that she'd not even bothered to look straight in front of her.

  At first all she could make out through the dim light of the moon were the trees blowing frantically in the wind. Once she started to look closer however, there began to be a pattern of flickering blue light. It came and went as the swishing of the trees moved to reveal a little bit of what was hiding in the darkness, only to move back and hide it from plain sight. It was almost like the wood was enticing her- daring her to take a closer look by only allowing a peek of the wonders that lay beyond. Out of nowhere, Owen suddenly spoke, dragging her out of her troubled thoughts.

  “You wanna go look?” He asked, whilst not taking his eyes of what he was witnessing in front of him. He squinted as if trying to get a better look at what was hiding behind the tree line.

  “I'm not sure,” Eleanor replied. On the one hand, her mind wanted to get a closer look; analyse what the lights were in order to find a logical answer to the madness unfolding in front of her. On the other hand, her gut instincts told her that this thing (whatever it was) was dangerous and best off being left alone. After all, it had already claimed one life. She wasn't about to add two more to the list of fatalities.

  “I don't think it's a good idea to get too near. We need to…Owen!”

  Eleanor had been so wrapped up in her own thoughts, she'd not even been paying attention to what was going on around her. Owen had opened the car door and was walking warily towards the woods in front of him.

  Eleanor leapt out of the driver’s seat, grabbing the necklace and shoving it in her pocket as she did. She wasn't sure why she took it with her but, whatever this thing was, it was linked to the necklace now hidden in her pocket. The air outside the car was icy-cold from the clear February sky but had a strange tingling to it- as though, at any moment, the air itself could come alive with shafts of electricity. Eleanor pulled her coat further around herself to cut out the cold before running towards her partner.

  She was glad she'd changed into her comfortable boots as it was impossible to see the woodland floor clearly in the dark. She was stumbling in the poor light from all the dry leaves and tree roots, almost tripping over at one point and landing on her hands, steadying herself for a moment before continuing. Eleanor looked up and saw Owen disappear into the tangled trees ahead of her, causing a fresh bout of panic that spurred her on.

  When she finally reached the trees where Owen had disappeared, she began frantically pushing twigs and bush branches out of the way in a desperate attempt to reach her assistant before he got himself into more trouble. She should have put her torch on to see where she was going but, in all the chaos, had left it in the boot of her car. Eleanor figured the crunching of twigs underfoot were probably making whatever was in here more aware of her presence than a flashlight ever would.

  She continued going straight ahead for what seemed like a lifetime before she finally bumped into a crouched down Owen. She bent down next to him and immediately noticed rip marks in his hoodie and a couple of scratch marks on his face, which were probably caused by the branches clawing at him as he'd made his way over to where he now hid.

  “How can you be so stupid?” She chided, “We have no idea what we're up against here. We need to get back to the car and ring the police.” As she said the words, she realised how silly they sounded. What would the police do when they got there?

  “I don't think that's going to be a good idea,” he replied whilst looking up over a thick blackberry bush in front of him.

  “What do you mean, it's not a good idea?” Eleanor started to rant. “I mean, seriously, I thought you would have known better.”

  “Eleanor…”

  “Walking into the middle of all this without a care in the world!”

  “Eleanor!”

  “What!? And don't interrupt me when I'm talking,” she snapped back.

  “You really need to look,” Owen replied.

  Eleanor sighed in exasperation before propping herself so she could see what all the fuss was about. As her vision finally cleared the top of the young blackberry bush, she gasped…

  In front of her was the most spectacular, most terrifying thing she'd ever see in her life.

  Straight ahead, hovering about 30cm off the ground, was what looked to be a large black hole- flickering and shifting at an almost unnatural speed. The darkness of it was so immense that it was as though everything that entered disappeared into oblivion, never to be seen again. Nothing could escape. Around the edges of the black hole was a continual spiral of blue lightning. The spiral itself was a constant blast of blue and white electricity, pulsating as it moved. Sporadically, a flash of lightning would escape, hitting nearby trees or the ground. The air surrounding it was charged, creating a deafening cracking, roaring noise that never relented, and the tree tops were flailing in the wind caused by the sheer power of the orb.

  It became abundantly clear what had killed Simon Bruton. He would only have had to be in close proximity to the anomaly for a stray flash of lightning to hit him, probably killing him instantly. This thought made Eleanor suddenly fearful for both their lives.

  She started to pull on Owen's jacket to try and get him to move. If they were quick, she thought, they could retreat to safety and get the hell away from this thing, but Owen refused to budge. He was transfixed- his eyes wide with wonder.

  “We have to get away from this thing!” Eleanor shouted over the deafening roar. “Remember what happened to Simon Bruton?”

  It didn't work. She started to tug more frantically at his arm but, the more she tried to move him, the more he wouldn't budge. She considered for a moment about leaving him there and going to get help, but she shook that idea away as fast as it had come. She wouldn't leave him here. It was against the very fiber of her being to leave someone behind to save her own hide. She would just have to keep trying. It was just when she was about to give up that Owen began to speak.

  “Do you think it's a portal?” He asked, still staring at it with wonder. At the same moment, there was another flash and a tree not 6 feet away was hit. They both ducked as the strike began to die away and smoke dissipated from the impact.

  “How the hell should I know? I don't care what it is. We need to get out of here Owen.” Her voice was becoming hoarse with shouting over the deafening roar.

  Owen continued to speak, as though he'd not even heard what Eleanor had said. “If it is a portal, maybe it leads somewhere. Maybe that's where the necklace is from- wherever this leads.” He gestured towards the anomaly.

  “I don't give a rat’s arse, Owen. We NEED to go!” Eleanor was angry now. This was no time for him to ignore her command. Their lives were at stake. She decided to take drastic action: She swung her arm back and slapped Owen hard across the face. That got his attention, although her hand was throbbing from the impact.

  Owen reeled around, about to hit back with anger etched on his face, until he saw who it was next to him. His face relaxed and he dropped his hand, although he still spoke in an angry tone.

  “What the hell did you do that for?” He snapped at her.

  “You need to listen, Owen, we need to go.” Eleanor was almost pleading with him now. Suddenly aware of where he was, he nodded his head, taking one last look.

  “Yeah, I think you're right,” he replied.

  He stood up to move but quickly realised he'd made a fatal mistake: Exposing himself with no cover or protection, he began to feel something pulling him towards the abyss. It was as though the laws of physics had gone AWOL and gravity was sucking him in. He tried desperately to fight back and pull himself to freedom but, the more he fought, the more the power of the pull increased.

  When Owen felt he was finally starting to gain ground, his legs came up from under him and he was moving in the air towards the portal feet-first.

  Instinctively, Eleanor grabbed Owen’s hands and tried to pull her levitating assistant away from the port
al of hell. She used all her strength to ground herself but it wasn't enough. Just as she was about to give one last yank, the power of the black hole became uncontrollable and the last thing she did before disappearing into the abyss was scream with all her might.

  Chapter 4

  “After King Arthur was mortally wounded by the traitor Mordred, Merlin took the king to the Isle of Avalon where all magic did reside. Here, Merlin did open a doorway brought from the heavens itself to take Arthur and his knights to safety. They did claim this new safe haven as Rogardium. Land of the Kings, But alas, it was to no avail for the kings wounds were too great and he succumbed unto the underworld. Thereafter, Arthur's descendant would rule over this blessed kingdom of men, and it is said that in their darkest hours, when their need is greatest, Arthur will rise up once more from Albion and bring glory to the kingdom of Rogardium.”

  Astel sat up and rubbed her eyes. She must have read that same passage hundreds of times. All the instances Rogardium had been attacked or taken, and not once had King Arthur appeared to save the day. She was beginning to wonder how much truth was even in the legend. After all, it was solid, brave mortal men who had brought them back from the brink each time, not some ghost of a king who'd been dead for over a thousand years. As the chief wizard to King Edgar of Rogardium, it was expected of her to follow the texts of Merlin to the letter and never to doubt his words, but she often found herself frustrated by these ancient texts and wondered how relevant they actually were.

  Closing the thick, well-worn book, she sat back in her chair and surveyed her little cottages cosy main room.

  She had decided to come back here to collect her thoughts and try to figure out what to do next for the ailing king and his crumbling kingdom. She needed time away from the hustle and bustle of court life to really focus. There were reports daily of new attacks on the borders of their lands. The goblins in particular were becoming greater in numbers and more daring with each season, and yet however much the king sent men to guard the very corners of their lands, they kept coming back for more. What alarmed Astel more than anything else was that they seemed to have joined forces with the other creatures that dwelt in the badlands to the North. The Dearg, dragons, evil spirits, goblins, as well as many more, all seemed to be forming an alliance to take on Rogardium. Without further help, they didn't stand a chance.

  Prince Elian, the kings only son had ridden out just over a week ago to lead the men to victory in the North, and Astel had turned to her books and seclusion to try and find a solution. She stood up and walked around whilst massaging her tired neck.

  The fire was blazing in the large hearth, giving the small room a warm cosy glow. She stopped in front of it for just a second, soaking up the heat and comfort it gave, before going and standing by the window to look out at the forest that enveloped her home. It had been her last attempt on the ancient myth.

  Not two weeks ago, she'd conjured the same spell Merlin had used to travel from Albion. She'd not expected it to work, so when it had opened first time and she'd walked to the homeland of men, she'd been surprised to say the least.

  The first thing she noticed there were the trees. They surrounded the portal and were not unlike the forest she now stayed in. She'd thought for a moment she was back in the forest of the elves where her cottage resided, but she noticed the tree line was a lot thinner and when the young man had approached her she had thought how strangely he was dressed.

  He'd had large chunky boots, blue trousers of some unknown weave and a jacket with a picture of a demon on it. She'd tried to speak to him. To warn him to stay back because of the lightning, but he'd just stared at her as if not comprehending what she said. Then, just as he started to back away and realise the danger he was in, the portal had taken him. Killing him instantly. Astel had felt truly guilt-ridden for his death but she'd had a mission to complete and no time for sentimentality.

  She had placed her pendant on the forest floor before charming it to open the portal again when Arthur or a worthy warrior touched it. She'd been doubtful of it working in the first place, but after a week had passed, nothing had happened and she'd all but given up. It was as she had feared. They were all doomed.

  Astel turned away from the window and went back to the fire. Just above the flames, on a platform, was a pot of water bubbling and spitting. She took a pinch of herbs from a nearby bag on the small oak table, and placed it in her bowl. She stirred the water, being careful not to touch the pot with her bare skin, before walking over to her trusty chair in the corner. She took a sip, enjoying the warmth in her belly and the scent from the brew, before placing the bowl on a small table to her left.

  Tomorrow, she decided, she would return to Rogard and report that her spell hadn't worked. She just hoped that Prince Elian had had more luck as she knew King Edgar wasn't known for his patience.

  There was a sudden loud hammering on the door. She jumped out of her seat and ran to the opposite corner of the room to retrieve her staff. The hammering continued and seem to increase in ferocity with every moment she delayed. Whoever, or whatever was banging on her door was desperate and she didn't want to be unarmed. She crept to the door and did a reveal spell. The door faded so only she could see who stood on the other side. The person knocking would be none the wiser and see just the solid door. She frowned at what she saw, reversed the spell and undid the latch.

  The creature who had made such a racket was what appeared to be woman, probably in her early twenties, wearing the most peculiar clothes. She had spectacles on, a thick woolly jumper that looked as though it had been made by some sort of bright red bear, and stripy trousers. There was also a boy with her. He looked to have just come of age and wore equally strange clothing. It was when the woman spoke that Astel realised who was standing on her doorstep.

  ********

  Eleanor was in a state of utter shock. When they'd been thrown through the portal from Hell, she'd landed on a very hard, incredibly cold forest floor. After she'd brushed dead leaves off her face and clothes she'd looked around to get her bearings. They appeared to be exactly where they'd just been. The woods were the same and the air felt the same. What had changed was that the portal had gone. Dragging her good- for- nothing assistant to his feet, she'd frog-marched them both through the woods with the intention of getting back into the car and then firing Owen for sheer stupidity. Only an idiot would willingly go towards something with the same power as a small tornado, and she would not hire idiots. She would just have to find someone else. The problem was, where the car had been before was now just forest and more forest. It didn't make any sense.

  She started to look around for any signs of human life whilst cursing under her breath before Owen had spotted lights in the distance. She'd walked for what felt like a lifetime before emerging in a clearing with a house in the centre that could only be described as something from Grimm’s fairy tales. The house was more of a Tudor style cottage with dark beams and white walling. The roof had small tiles to it and there were tall, thin chimneys coming out of both ends.

  Eleanor walked up to the entrance, her temper flaring beyond controllable and much to Owen protesting started to hammer on the door. She needed to know whereabouts in Somerset she actually was.

  She'd heard a creak as the door had gradually opened and when she saw the occupant of the house she'd been a little taken aback. She'd expected to meet a little old lady living in her little cosy cottage, but here in front of her was the most beautiful woman she'd ever seen. She had long black flowing hair and deep blue eyes. She looked a bit older that Eleanor, maybe early thirties and she was tall, maybe 5 foot 8 or 9, but it was her clothes that really baffled Eleanor. She had a long white dress on like she'd imagine a medieval princess to wear with sleeves that hung down at her elbows forming a point at the end, and the skirt section reached all the way to the floor. She also held a gnarled stick in her hand that had what looked like an amethyst in the top of it.

  Eleanor considered the lady might be goi
ng to a fancy dress party, although Halloween was months ago. She decided to break the ice.

  “Hello, my name is Detective Eleanor Smith and this is my assistant Owen. I was wondering if you could tell us where we are and whether I could use your phone?”

  The lady in the doorway frowned and tilted her head to one side. Great thought Eleanor. Trust her to call on someone who clearly didn't speak any English. What the hell did they do now. At that moment the lady spoke.

  "Helo, sut y gallaf eich helpu chi?"

  It was as Eleanor had feared. The woman was probably a tourist just staying in the area or they'd unfortunately landed in a completely different country. She thought about how she could possibly explain anything.

  Eleanor started to reached into her pocket to pull out her mobile phone to use it as a visual aid when something bizarre happened. The lady in the doorway started to mutter strange words under her breath, and very slowly a pulsating light appeared at the end of the stick she was holding, reminding Eleanor of a miniature lighthouse. Just as quickly as the light had come, it exploded into thousands of bits of white glitter, which went shooting through the air. Once they'd reached just above their heads, the glitter started to fall back to earth like tiny little snowflakes blanketing where they fell.

  “I apologise for my ignorance, but I could not understand you before. Your language is strange to me. My name is Astel. How may I serve you?” Astel said in a graceful, flowing tone.

  Eleanor found herself staring at the stranger with her mouth wide open, too awestruck to speak.

  Owen piped up from behind her. “Hello, we're a little lost. Is it possible to come in and use your phone?”

  Eleanor was grateful to Owen for his response, although still mad for his careless actions.

  “Have you perchance come to be here by method of a portal?” Astel asked with excitement on her face.

  Eleanor quickly recovered and looked around behind them as if checking to see if anyone else was around.