The Xidoran Prophecy

by Elaine Bassett

  Henri scowled. “Okay, I didn’t hear that part.”

  Dimitrios said under his breath, “Because you were talking…”

  Anthony smoothed things over between the two men and began pointing to things outside the vault. Henri stood beside Anthony explaining what he knew about each item. Dimitrios allowed Henri to answer Anthony’s questions. He had more important things to decipher inside the vault. Something had caught his eye quite by accident. He furtively walked to the back of the vault and made a mental note of the small engraved characters that were located on several of the drawer faces. Carson came in and stood beside him. He whispered, “There are more over here. It seems random just looking at them, but I don’t think that is the case. Everything inside and outside this vault has some kind of significant meaning.

  Dimitrios agreed, then said, “Keep an eye on Henri. Did he return your key?”

  Carson said, “No, he hasn’t. He won’t get out of here with it.”

  “Just a word to the wise, be cautious.” Carson looked sheepish as he revealed to Dimitrios something in his pocket.

  Dimitrios looked in Carson’s pocket--the key, and said, “Way to go. I didn’t know sleight of hand was one of your many talents.”

  They finally completed their examination of the vault for the night. Dimitrios and Anjoleah thanked everyone for their time, effort and knowledge. Anjoleah asked if they could return and do some more investigating if they needed to. Carson agreed.

  Dimitrios was standing next to Carson’s desk and happened to see the scrap of paper with the number code on it. After studying it for a moment he made a quiet comment to Carson to try a German alphabet to solve it. Then their guests said their goodbyes and left through the Passageway.

  Once the visitors were out of sight the three family members looked at each other and ran to Carson’s desk. Carson pulled out his chair and sat at his desk. They each gathered their things and immediately started to work. Charles was sitting on the floor working and realized he needed scratch paper. He walked over to Carson’s desk and reached over to get some paper. He looked at the notes Carson had made. “Brilliant. I believe you will have the code cracked by tonight.” Carson had been writing the alphabet in German and pairing the letters with the numbers.

  Bev looked at what he had been doing. “Makes sense.”

  Carson turned to the drawer, which held the key to the bookshelves. He went to unlock and turn the shelves. Carson ran his finger along the Caperson journals. He took one off the shelf and opened it. He walked over to his desk, took out his writing pen with a crystal on top and handed it to Bev. She wrote down what he dictated to her. Then he handed her the code’s key. Bev was writing as quickly as she could, eager to solve the mystery.

  Charles anxiously asked, “What does it say?”

  Bev said, “I guess we will know more in a minute as soon as I can completely decipher the code.”

  There was an error in the coded words that made the message look like gibberish. Bev asked Carson to double check the numbers. She kept writing as Carson went to look at the code in order to double check what she had written. When he found it he read it off to her. She wrote it down, and then deciphered and revised her earlier work on the journal’s entries. When she was finished she stood up and waved it around in the air. Charles tried to grab it, but Bev was having too much fun keeping it secret. Carson decided he’d try to get it too, but Bev wouldn’t allow him access either. They watched as she had fun keeping them in suspense. She said, “Gentlemen, I know the answer to the mystery--what wasn’t known is now revealed.” They looked at each other.

  Carson said, “Now Bevy, let’s hear it. We are waiting…”

  She grew serious, held the paper in front of her and read, “If you have discovered this secret code then you are my true heir. I, Catherine Caperson being of sound mind on this very day declare that I am passing down my birthright as Royal heir to the throne of Caperson Kingdom to whomever discovers my secrets encoded herein this document. If you have discovered this, then I acknowledge you as my true heir. My Sojourner’s possessions are bequeathed to you. You may use the following passwords and codes to unlock the mysteries that await you. My family’s Sojourner paperwork, tools and treasures can be found in a storage room at the Journal Storage Shop located in the Central Hub. Telling the man at the counter the words “orange blossom” will allow you to retrieve a storage box. This is my passcode to all things that require one at this location.

  “In the storage box which you will receive is a unique key. This key cannot be duplicated. The key opens a safety deposit box located in the Hub Bank. Since I have recorded that I do not have an heir with the proper Sojourner Identification Authorities, it is on record that my heir will use the passcode: apple blossom. This is the password for all things at this location. Inside the safety deposit box are specific instructions that must be followed exactly. Sincerely, Catherine Caperson.”

  They all cheered at this good news! Airabelle and Airasten joined in the celebration with their own type of dance.

  Charles said, “Things are falling into place. Good work! Tomorrow will be the next big hurdle.”

  Charles felt confident they were going to be ready for it. Solving this mystery and knowing that the Caperson family inheritance was still fully intact was a huge find.

  Carson asked them, “What do you think we will find?”

  Bev said, “It doesn’t really matter does it? Caroline’s been approved for Sojourning instruction and anything we discover will be exciting!”

  Charles said, “I can’t wait to go on a scavenger hunt! I am very hopeful we will find what Caroline will need to get started.”

  Carson said, “Although this is cause for celebrating, I can’t help but remain a little uneasy. We have an enormous amount of work ahead of us to complete.”

  Bev tried to reassure him by saying, “I am sure the Sojourners’ Council is going to lead Natalie through the process correctly. They won’t let us fail. It’s in their best interest for us to succeed. If Natalie has any further questions I’m sure she will ask Dimitrios. I have faith in Natalie’s ability as well. She’s a wise old soul and very intuitive. She and Caroline will hit it off from the start. You just watch and see the friendship that will grow from this. They are so much alike. They could be sisters.”

  That last comment was a little unsettling for Charles but he was relieved that Natalie would be Caroline’s sponsor and mentor. If it were anyone else he might have been worried about her ability to handle the Sojourners’ Council. The thought crossed his mind that as soon as Caroline knew what she needed to know, she would be free to go out on her own. That thought reminded him that he was missing her. He decided to wrap up what he was working on and give her a call before it became too late.

  When Charles finished working, he visited with Carson. He put his things away and set off for the kitchen. Bev decided to leave with him. Once inside he walked over to the phone and dialed Caroline’s number. She answered and was so excited to hear his voice on the other end of the line she couldn’t stop talking. He tried to get a few words in but she talked so fast he could barely keep up. Finally Charles interrupted. “Caroline, Caroline.”

  “Yes?”

  “Can you come over for dinner tomorrow?”

  “Yes, I think so.”

  “Good, I can’t wait to see you.”

  “Me either.”

  It had been a lengthy conversation so he told her goodnight just before they hung up. Then he called his parent’s house and spoke to his sisters before his mom came on the line. They discussed work on the farm and the rest of his summer plans. Once they had covered everything Molly asked to talk to Nana. That gave Charles a chance to escape upstairs and get ready for bed. After Bev got off the phone with Molly she went to Charles’ room to say goodnight but he was already asleep under the Mariner’s Compass quilt she had made for him.

  Tomorrow was going to be a busy day. Bev figured the Sojourners’ Council Hearing
would take up most of their day going over precautions and guidelines. She fully expected everything to be thoroughly outlined and nothing left to chance. Bev was excited about the meeting that would be held tomorrow. Sojourner history would be unfolding throughout the day and the outcome would be a promising new way of life for a sweet young lady. The fairytale circumstances were absolutely amazing. This handsome and capable young man before her would someday become the next Prime Minister of the most powerful office in the world. He would be fulfilling his destiny to take up the office as his forefather had.

  Her thoughts again turned to Caroline. Charles’ sweet young princess, who today was an average teenage girl in this world, would suddenly awake to have her life changed forever by inheriting a fortune and possibly a kingdom. It was extraordinary.

  Bev let her mind wonder off daydreaming about what the two young people might accomplish together and the discoveries they might make over the years. She was so deep in thought about what forgotten treasures they might find locked away, she didn’t realize Carson had sneaked up on her and hugged her from behind. She jumped. He apologized for startling her by whispering in her ear and kissing her on her cheek. “A penny for your thoughts.”

  “I was thinking about tomorrow and the royal inheritance Caroline is about to inherit. It’s wonderful, don’t you think? A real-life fairytale that we are actually a part of making come true.”

  “Yes, but I wouldn’t get carried away just yet. We may be in store for some twists and turns in this unfolding story. One step at a time my love…”

  She turned and put her hand on his cheek and then kissed him gently.

  **********

  The next morning Charles jumped from his bed refreshed from his deep sleep. After he finished getting ready he made a mad dash for the kitchen. He devoured his pancakes and ran for the office; afraid he may have missed something. He knocked before he entered the room. Carson called for him, “Come in Charlie…”

  When Charles opened the door a large red bow was in his sight. “What’s that?”

  “Come find out.”

  He walked into the office and walked over to the large beautifully crafted mahogany desk. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Who is it for?”

  “It’s for you.”

  “Me? Why? It’s not my birthday.” He looked at Carson.

  “I don’t need a reason to give a gift.”

  “Thank you Paw Paw. That’s so generous. I love it!”

  “It belonged to Haward Thomasen.” Carson came over to the desk and ran his hand over it.

  Charles looked it over. “It’s magnificent…”

  “It’s been in storage all these years. I figure its time has come to belong to a Prime Minister once again.”

  “But I’m not ready yet.”

  “You will be Charlie. Your time will come.”

  Charles walked over and hugged Carson. “Thank you. I will take good care of it, always.”

  Carson smiled knowing he would. “Now you have your very own desk on which to conduct your business.”

  Airabelle was on top of a soft leather chair. “Don’t forget this.” Charles walked over and sat down. Airabelle flew to the lectern.

  Carson wheeled him over to his desk. “Looks fitting. I hope you like it.”

  “I don’t know what to say. I’m speechless… It’s perfect. Thank you.”

  Carson began tinkering inside the desk drawers. “I used to know all of the hiding places.” He looked through all of the drawers. He was like a kid in a candy store searching, and laughing as he found them. In each drawer was a Sojourner tool.

  “Wow, what are all of these?”

  “In time I will show you.”

  Airasten had landed on the back of the chair. Charles not knowing he was there spun the chair around. Airasten became dizzy let out a, “Whooooa!”

  Charles slowed it down to a stop. “Sorry old friend. I didn’t even know you were there.” Airabelle was laughing so hard she nearly fell off her perch. Airasten’s feathers were a bit ruffled but he was fine.

  Charles began looking over his desk, trying to imitate the steps Carson used to open the drawers. Bev came into the office as he was exploring the desk. Charles looked up and thanked her.

  Carson had gathered their things needed for the day and was going over his checklist. He brought Charles his leather satchel and asked him to pack the Caperson journals with the coded message to share with the Council. Carson handed them to Charles along with the crystal. He turned the shelves back around and put the key away.

  Charles did as Carson asked. Then he went over to Bev, thanked her again and gave her a hug. She told him, “We are so pleased with you and your journey. We love you very much. You are making us very proud.”

  She walked with him over to the desk. “This desk is the perfect prime minister’s desk. Has Paw Paw shown you the hiding places?” Charles said he had, as he once again went through all of the hiding places with Bev. “I’m very impressed. Even I couldn’t remember all of them, it has been so long. It is such a beautiful desk.” Charles agreed and said it would be a nice place on which to work.

  They finished preparing for the upcoming meeting. When they were ready they stood waiting for the Passageway to expand and open. Then they stepped through to the other side. All things considered Charles felt pretty calm. He prepared the flying disks for travel. They headed for the Sojourners’ Council Hearing. When they arrived the doors were closed.

  The doorman asked them to: “Please have a seat and wait. They are running behind schedule.” So they did. They whispered amongst themselves.

  A few minutes passed before the doorman appeared once again. “Please stand before the doors.”

  He was about to open the doors when Dimitrios opened them and asked them to: “Please be patient and wait a few more minutes. I need to brief you before you enter.”

  He turned his back to the man before he could protest.

  Dimitrios spoke rather quickly, “Things went rather badly. They are having second thoughts and are concerned. They are claiming they want proof that Caroline is a Sojourner and has Royal blood. One of our Councilwomen knew Catherine Caperson. She states Catherine told her personally she did not have an heir. She has turned the whole Council upside down and they are squabbling amongst themselves. The Councilman from Spain is adding fuel to her fire.”

  Carson held up his finger to say just a moment. Dimitrios looked at him, desperate for anything that might help their cause. Carson unzipped Charles’ backpack that was on his back. He pulled out one specific Caperson journal and the crystal. He opened the journal and turned to the code. He showed Dimitrios. Carson pulled out the deciphered coded message and handed it to him. Dimitrios looked it over. Carson asked, “Do you remember this?”

  “Yes, you finished it.”

  “Yes, we did and you were correct.”

  “Only because I could check it with a few words I know. It didn’t make my guess correct. I’m glad it worked.”

  Then Carson handed him another journal. It was the one Caroline colored in.

  Dimitrios looked at it then looked at Carson. “This is what we have to go on for her bloodline?”

  Carson asked him to put his glasses on. Dimitrios did and his head immediately jerked back. “Amazing. Let’s go.”

  Carson also put a picture of Catherine with Caroline on her lap as an infant, on top of the open journal. The journal spoke in Catherine’s words, “My dear sweet Caroline.”

  Dimitrios face lit up. “This should put an end to it.” He suddenly turned and burst through the doors entering the Councils’ Hearing.

  As they followed Dimitrios into the room Charles asked Carson, “How did you get that picture?”

  Carson just smiled. “I have my ways.” He reached over and held Bev’s hand as they walked in together.

  The Councilwoman said, “Dimitrios before you begin, while you were on your escapade we took a vote. There is no need to go any further. We are of o
ne mind.”

  Dimitrios asked, “What was your verdict?”

  Anthony said, “We decline Caroline’s acceptance.”

  Dimitrios became red in the face and he blew up! “What! That is illegal! We have not had a chance to present evidence.” He pointed to the Council. “I challenge your ruling! You will hear the evidence.”

  He walked with purpose to Anthony. Anthony ever so slightly shook his head. It wasn’t going to dissuade him. Dimitrios took from his pocket a crystal orb and sat it on the podium. Two Sojourner attorneys entered the room from a side door. They conferred with each other and advised the Council that under the Sojourner Law they must allow all evidence to be heard before a vote could be taken. They knew Dimitrios would be back and they were in violation of Section 1680-066nb9.

  Anthony hit his gavel on the block. “Let it be so. The Council will strike their vote from the record. We will reopen the case and hear the evidence before casting another vote.” Anthony nodded to Dimitrios.

  Dimitrios knew Anthony wasn’t happy with him, but he didn’t care. Right was right and he had proof. Dimitrios said very calmly, “You were hasty in your decision. I’d like to present evidence to you for your consideration contrary to the statements you heard from the Honorable Councilwoman. You were incorrect in your statements to the Council and I can prove it.”

  Anthony briefly covered his face and scowled. The Councilwoman protested to those closest to her. The chamber erupted and became wild. Anthony banged his gavel several times to call order to the Council. He warned them, “If you don’t refrain from interruptions I’ll dismiss you and the vote will be taken from whomever is present.”

  They all sat down and became dignified once again.

  Anthony rolled his eyes. “You may proceed with the evidence, Dimitrios.”

  Dimitrios cleared his throat. “I see emotions are running high today. Let me state my stance: a Sojourner who brings before the Sojourners’ Council a dilemma, is allowed to proceed to a hearing and fully present his or her case in its entirety before a verdict is reached. The evidence…”