Dare to Believe: Teen & Young Adult Epic Fantasy Bundle (Series Bundle Andy Smithson Bk 4, 5 & 6): Dragons, Serpents, Unicorns, Pegasus, Pixies, Trolls, Dwarfs, Knights and More!
Page 39
Fountain of Youth
Sommeil Services
Waiting Room
Personal Effects
Research Laboratory
Paperwork Office
Staffing Office
The attendant began, “You obviously understand Kos.”
The spirit nodded.
Kos? Kos. Kos. Andy’s brain struggled to give meaning to the word he knew he’d heard before. His mind whirled and headed to storage for seventh-grade mythology. Kos: The birthplace of Hippocrates, that Greek doctor guy. Really? Since it’s at the top of the list, that must be heaven for people in Cromlech. Interesting. Yara’s coming back, so she wouldn’t have gone there.
“Select Fountain of Youth if you wish to have a second crack at life in mortal form.”
Would she have gone there? But wait, what’s Sommeil Services?
“Go to the Waiting Room if you plan to meet someone who has not yet arrived, or Personal Effects if you’re missing valuables. Choose the Research Lab if you have unfinished business with the Living, Paperwork Office if you have a claim to file or other issue you need assistance with, or Staffing Office if you’d like to save a bit more before retiring to Kos. What would you like to do?”
Andy tuned out the rest of the conversation as he pondered the possibilities. Finally opting for Fountain of Youth, Andy glanced at the placards above the doors. He located the appropriate exit and entered a large white-walled foyer. Soul music drifted about the spa-like space. Proceeding through a second set of glass doors, he stopped at a hulking reception stand to the right.
A shiny man clad in a translucent tunic sat perched behind the monstrosity, towering well above Andy.
“Excuse me!” Andy called.
The attendant did not respond.
“I guess I’ll just have to take a look around.”
He approached two more sets of clear double doors. Above the left a sign read Ladies, the adjacent indicated Gentlemen. Andy opted for the right door and emerged into what could only be described as a locker room. But the lockers were beyond anything school offered—pearl-colored compartments lined a wall. Puffy chairs stood opposite with a fluffy robe and slippers on each seat. An attendant with “Masseuse” embroidered on the left breast of his terry robe, stood nearby.
Spirit’s have massages? That could be interesting.
Andy looked away as a silvery being changed into monotone flower-patterned swim trunks.
“Please shower before entering the fountain,” a voice crooned from a speaker as the spirit approached another door.
Seeking Yara and not “a second crack at life in mortal form” (at least not yet), Andy slipped past. His skin immediately felt the hot, moist air and he reflexively wiped his brow. A myriad of spirits relaxed in a Jacuzzi the size of a football field that bubbled and gurgled before him.
“Hey, put on some hip-hop! What do you think, we’re dead?” a spirit near the side jested to a tunic-clad lifeguard perched atop a stand.
Andy could not help chuckling as he walked the perimeter. With each spirit bleached of their hair and skin tones, he had to stop and squint at several, but Yara was not among them. So he decided to try another option.
He retraced his steps back to the atrium and tried Sommeil Services but with the same result. Where could she be? The voice in Andy’s head sounded frantic.
Andy headed for the Waiting Room. Like his doctor’s office, islands of ivory chairs formed an archipelago. He wandered around and between the upholstered islands, studying the occupants. A loud laugh drew his attention to a trim, muscular ghost whose eyes danced as he convulsed at his own joke. A wiry boy next to him slapped a knee and a dignified lady-spirit grinned and shook her head.
As Andy neared, a familiar voice groaned, “Oh, Father, your jokes—”
“Yara!”
To his relief, the silvery girl looked in his direction. “Andy!”
“What is it, honey?” the man sighed, unable to see what caught her attention.
Yara rose and Andy hurried to meet her, but just as they reached to embrace, the scene shifted.
“What? Wait! Yara, come back!”
Andy gaped at Imogenia’s iridescent form as she swished by him in the bright hallway.
What happened?
The spirit glided through a pair of doors labeled as Unfinished Business Office.
Andy fumed but trudged after her, pulling open the left-hand door. He entered a dim reception area where three signs hovered near the ceiling: Haunting, Destruction of Property or Beings, and Beta. Blues music set the mood.
Why’d I get called here? Especially when I just found Yara?
“Don’t whine,” MiniMe coached. “Clearly you need to see this.”
Andy ground his teeth before huffing a heavy sigh.
“Excuse me, can you tell me where I can find Mr. Brutish?” Imogenia’s sweet voice drew Andy’s attention to a harried spirit with stacks of papers threatening to revolt at the corners of her desk. A nameplate at the front indicated Ethelburh Gullveig, Claims Adjuster.
“He got promoted to Master Claims Adjuster. He sits over there now.” The woman pointed to a bank of short-walled cubicles.
“Thank you.”
Andy followed the princess to a short, pudgy spirit with a round head and no neck.
“Imogenia, what an unexpected surprise!” The spirit stood and bowed. “Please, sit down. How can I help you?”
The princess bit her lip as she explained, “I have a problem. When we implemented the curse, you’ll remember I insisted my brother have unending life as part of his punishment.”
Mr. Brutish nodded.
“What you may not know is my sister-in-law, Queen Emmalee, as well as Kaysan’s wizard, Mermin, were also affected.”
“Oh? What happened?”
“They both touched the Stone of Athanasia.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
Imogenia waved her hands. “Yes, it is, but that’s not the problem. Well, it is, but…” The princess took a deep breath and calmed herself.
The spirit furrowed his brow.
“An enemy stole the stone once, and they found out that if it’s too far away, Kaysan and Mermin get really sick. They eventually got the stone back, but to ensure that never happened again, my brother implanted it in his side. The problem is, Abaddon has captured him and locked him in the dungeon at Castle Avalon.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but I don’t understand what you need me to do.”
“Queen Emmalee would have had that problem, too, if it hadn’t been for Merlin, Mermin’s brother. Somehow he knew what would happen if she got too far away from the stone. He figured out a way to split it. She wears part of it all the time.”
“Okay, and…?”
“If Mermin gets too far away from the stone, he’ll get sick.”
“I understand, but you just said both your brother and Queen Emmalee have part of the stone. Why wouldn’t the wizard be within range of either of them at all times?”
“That’s just it. The queen doesn’t live in Oomaldee most of the time.”
“Excuse me?” The spirit frowned.
“Look, I know this sounds weird, but trust me, it’s true. She and I are both afraid she’s going to be called back to her other home, and then Mermin will get sick because he’s too far away from Kaysan.”
“I see. So…”
“I need to get another Stone of Athanasia.”
Mr. Brutish’s eyes grew large. “For this Mermin fellow?”
Imogenia nodded.
The spirit exhaled slowly. “Very well, let me see if I can arrange an emergency session of the Committee on Afterlife Affairs.”
“Does it have to go that high up?”
“It’s the only way.”
“I understand.” Imogenia folded her hands.
“Give me a few minutes.” Mr. Brutish stood and glided out the doors.
Andy now stood at the front of a shimmering wood-paneled conference room. Felius Dudge, co
mmittee chairman, hovered before a lectern at the head of a large conference table that filled the space.
“Thank you all for making time in your busy days for this unscheduled session,” Dudge intoned to the committee members lining either side of the table. “Princess Imogenia seems to think we need to get involved in a policy matter…”
Chairman Dudge droned on as Andy turned and retreated to the row of chairs lining the front wall. He slumped onto a seat three down from where the translucent princess sat picking at her fingernails.
“Princess.” The chairman motioned her toward the podium.
Imogenia filled the committee in on all that had transpired, rushing through parts she felt uncomfortable discussing and drawing out parts that supported her cause. Members balked when she mentioned Abaddon had laid siege to the castle and captured the king, effectively taking over the land.
“The nerve!” exploded Donsay Hat, head of the Political Correctness Committee, and a host of the other spirits echoed.
“And to think, we nearly granted a stone to that menace’s father on his behalf,” interjected Patty Amnul, Social Committee Director.
Imogenia concluded, “As a result, Queen Emmalee has enough concerns to manage right now without adding worry about Mermin’s health. If she gets pulled back to her other land, Mermin will need to lead. Would you please consider giving one more stone?”
“Why don’t you just lift this fool curse?” barked Horace Greenly, head of Environmental Affairs, making his jowls shake.
“That’s the last thing she should do right now. Do you honestly think the King, queen, and wizard will live if the curse is lifted? They’re all well over five hundred years old. Lift the curse and there’s no one to lead,” snapped Delia Cat, head of Labor Relations.
Andy raised a hand to object but remembered no one would hear him.
“We must support the queen,” insisted Gladys Blenda, Director of Transition Services, drawing nods around the table.
Imogenia yielded the floor back to the chairman and took her seat.
Heated discussion ensued about the propriety of the request and the precedent being set, but in the end the committee voted unanimously to grant Imogenia’s petition based on the extenuating circumstances.
Imogenia raised a hand. “By the way, it needs to be in wearable condition.”
“Noel,” Chairman Dudge eyed the Director of Transportation at the far end of the table, “I’m entrusting you with seeing that a proper Stone of Athanasia is delivered to the wizard, Mermin, as soon as possible.”
The balding spirit nodded and Andy’s dream splintered into a million pieces, mirroring his mood.
Nearby rustling brought Andy to consciousness the following morning. Through slits he eyed Razen bent over the sleepy fire, coaxing it to wake.
Grrr.
“Take it easy,” MiniMe cautioned.
Mom rolled over and peered at Andy. Her hair stood at odd angles and dark smudges colored her cheek and neck, but a smile blossomed nonetheless. “How you doing?”
“I saw Yara.”
Mom tilted her head.
“In my dream.”
“Ah.”
“I almost got to give her a hug, but…” Andy told Mom about his nighttime excursion.
“I’m sorry, Andy. But on the bright side, it sounds like Mermin should be cared for.”
Andy returned a half smile.
As Alden, Hannah, and the others around their fire stirred, Andy wanted nothing more than to be alone. He wandered off as everyone set about preparing breakfast. Three griffins maintained a protective ring about the queen’s campsite while the rest secured the perimeter. Castle staff, cavalry, and army seemed to be steering clear of them, offering only wary glances as they began their morning chores.
Andy passed Icarus and nodded but did not stop. Through thinner than usual fog he surveyed the broken castle and sighed. He stepped on a stray pebble in the grass and started kicking it as he walked. Yara’s gone. Numbness showed mercy and dulled some of the pain as his mind dwelt on her for several minutes, but then thoughts of Abaddon diverted his attention. Abaddon’s taken over. Father’s imprisoned. Who knows what they’re doing to him.
The committee’s comment from his dream jogged through Andy’s thoughts: if Mom, Father, and Mermin joined the Afterlife, there would be no one to lead Oomaldee. I’ve got to show people I can lead.
A plan to free the King began percolating. Spurred to action, Andy headed back to his companions. But before he reached them, movement around the castle caught his attention.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Razen?
Abaddon, once more in his dragon form, strode before a host of minions. A black-robed figure drifted along nearby. The sound of a whip finding purchase echoed in the morning calm.
“Uhhh,” a strangled moan followed.
“The King!” Sergeant Terric bellowed. “They’re torturing the King!”
Andy’s stomach lurched as he raced to see.
Griffins launched.
Father stumbled at the end of a chain secured around his neck. Another chain shackled his ankles. His black T-shirt and jeans hung in shreds and his face was marred with blood and bruises.
Dagon laughed then yanked again, causing Father to lurch forward. He barely caught himself.
The griffins circled, watching.
“I have conquered Oomaldee!” the dragon roared. “Bow before your sovereign and pledge your allegiance.”
Onlookers muted shrieks with their hands but could not stop tears.
Apollis, Sophocles, Troilus, Icarus, and the rest of the griffins took flight and dove at the entourage, talons extended. But Fides answered their assault by raising his arms, and lightning streaked from each of his fingertips.
Gasps rose as five griffins plummeted to the ground one after the other, forcing the rest to pull back.
Abaddon chuckled, “So, you are trainable, you mutant beasts. Very good.”
Gozler and Maladoca, who stood on either side of the King, landed punches to his ribs, toppling him. “Pledge your allegiance, swine!” the pair snarled in unison, sending up another round of exclamations and whimpering from the crowd.
A grimace leapt across the King’s face as he sat back on his haunches but remained silent.
“Every man has a breaking point,” Abaddon taunted. “Forward! We will show all of Oomaldee their fate.”
Gozler kicked Father as Dagon again bent the tether to his will, forcing the King to stand on wobbly legs.
Andy retched. It took a minute to recompose himself, and he wiped away tears before scanning the staff and military.
Where’s Mom?
Seeing Hannah’s blonde hair, he raced around and between elbows and legs.
“We’ve got to rescue him!”
“How?” Alden’s tone was firm.
“You saw what Fides did to the griffins,” Hannah reminded.
“I think the three of us—”
Hannah rolled her eyes. “You’re crazy.”
Andy ignored her. “It has to be a stealth attack. They’ll see the military coming.”
“We could go in through the secret tunnels. You said they’re keeping the King in the dungeon, so we should be able to get to him,” Alden suggested, drawing a frown from the dissenter.
“Stop encouraging him.”
“We can’t just leave him. I won’t.” Andy clenched his teeth.
“I checked on the griffins,” Mom announced, a scowl creasing her face. “Icarus and the others will be okay. Fides stunned them but did no permanent damage.”
Hannah exhaled, “That’s a relief.”
Andy and Alden exchanged a conspiratorial glance that Mom spotted. “What’s up?”
“We’ve been thinking about how we might rescue Father.”
“That makes four of us.” Mom drew her eyebrows together.
“We have a plan.”
“I’m listening.”
Andy outlined all they had dis
cussed, and after posing many questions, Mom nodded. “I agree that this needs to be done in stealth. And while I can’t say I’m excited about your idea…”
Hannah gave the boys an I-told-you-so look.
“I don’t have anything better. We have to at least try,” Mom continued. “You have my permission.”
Andy smiled and gave Hannah a curt nod.
“It’s not like I don’t want him rescued, I just don’t have a good feeling about this.”
“Understood.” Andy swallowed, glancing at Alden who ran a hand through his hair.
As shadows lengthened in the late afternoon, Andy spotted Abaddon’s procession making its way back toward the castle. Father staggered and fell, and Andy felt his heart leap into his throat.
Dagon yanked the collar around the King’s neck. Receiving no response, Gozler gave Father’s back a sharp crack with the whip.
Too far away, Andy could not hear if Father responded.
“Look well, my citizens. This and worse awaits all who choose to defy me!” Abaddon bellowed.
Fides waved the thugs away from the captive, extended his arms, and levitated the King’s body. Father’s arms dangled limply as the group proceeded back over the drawbridge.
“Come on.” Andy motioned for Alden to follow.
“Wait! Look!” Hannah cautioned.
A noise like an air lock closing in a sci-fi movie sounded as the drawbridge rose. Through the fog appeared a shimmering, semi-transparent ring circling the base of the castle. It grew, drawing a ripple of murmurs from staff and military alike. Much finger-pointing ensued. The wall curved as it rose, extending into a dome that engulfed the whole island upon which the castle stood.
Regents Bellum and Cronkar approached, requesting to speak with Mom in private.
“Come on.” Andy grabbed Alden’s sleeve.
“We’ll be careful,” Alden tried to reassure Hannah as he followed.
Andy exchanged a quick wave with Mom.
Chatter from castle inhabitants faded away as Andy and Alden crossed the service bridge, coming face-to-face with the semi-transparent wall. Andy held up his hands but they met no resistance, and he passed through.