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!
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Technology has taken root
and spawned this land’s finance.
Merlin knew the magic
of men and noble deeds,
And gathered those who knew right well
love’s power to succeed.
Seek not the aid of those about,
but puzzle each part out,
For all you’ve learned and felt and done
will point the way throughout.
This task, in part, a test that you
might know your skill at last,
To rule our kingdom by your hand,
the Chosen One, steadfast.”
Andy frowned. “It’s a treasure hunt. But I can’t ask for help.”
Jax held up his pointer finger. “Actually, Merlin said that since you have to do this by yourself, I can work through it with you to start, so you’re clear on what you need to do.” He scanned his audience. “Yeah, put yourself in my position. Merlin piques my curiosity by saying that, then hands me this envelope but doesn’t let me read the letter. I’ve had to wait all these years to find out what in the world that letter says!” He chuckled.
“But once you’re gone…” Andy whined.
Jax nodded. “Then ya gotta noodle it out on your own. Think of it as a character-building opportunity.”
Andy bit his lip.
“And a great way to keep your mind occupied,” Mom added, giving Dad a wink.
“Prince Andrew, you have our full and undivided attention,” Jax assured. “Let’s see what we can deduce.”
Madison’s gaze bounced between the four. “You mean I get to be involved in something related to that weird place?”
“You want to?” Andy asked. Surprise that she would want anything to do with Oomaldee made him smile. Two years earlier, she’d been an unwilling participant when the first visitors from the land appeared. Zolt—menacing creatures with arms extending to their ankles, beaklike noses, and bulging eyes—had brandished broadswords as they invaded the house looking to kill Mom and Andy. To say they’d terrified Madison would be an understatement.
The second attack a year later ended up with Madison rolling Mom’s SUV down an embankment when a zolt climbed onto the roof of the vehicle as she drove Mom and Andy to the mall to do Christmas shopping. Then there was last summer. A reclusive family had moved into the neighborhood and Andy agreed to mow their lawn. They quickly found out that the new neighbors were actually zolt in disguise, out to get Andy and Mom. Madison ended up in the middle of the fracas, barely escaping their clutches.
And Andy couldn’t forget Madison’s most recent encounter, as armed zolt had again appeared. Thankfully, Mermin’s invention of a dome over the house prevented them from doing any physical harm, but the psychological damage was done: Madison regularly woke up screaming from vivid nightmares. Every time Andy heard her, his stomach twisted.
Mom attempted to explain each time, but Maddy’s analytical brain could not accept the seemingly outlandish tale: Mom was queen of the land of Oomaldee and was over five hundred years old as a result of some curse that had been cast on the land. If that hadn’t been bad enough, her obnoxious little brother—at least, that’s how Andy assumed she thought of him—was supposedly heir to the throne.
Dad’s involvement, or his professed lack thereof, still puzzled her. She’d buried herself in her studies and tried to ignore all the goings-on. Jax stood as the first positive experience she’d had in all things Oomaldee.
Jax bounced his eyebrows. “Absolutely. Please help us solve this riddle, little maiden.”
Madison brightened.
“Let’s take this poem one paragraph at a time,” Andy decided.
“As you wish,” the centaur agreed.
Andy reread:
“A treasure hunt before you waits,
what my faithful servant obfuscates.”
Andy scratched his head. “What does obfuscates mean?”
“It means to confuse, bewilder, or make more difficult to understand,” Madison recited.
Four pairs of eyes found the would-be professor. “What? PSAT vocab practice.” Her laugh lilted over the group.
Jax winked at her and her cheeks again turned rosy.
“So for this treasure hunt, I’m guessing I’m supposed to find things that Merlin hid?”
“Sounds like it,” Jax agreed.
Andy continued:
“He hid well the pieces
Of the Land’s broken heart.
Until the time should come
For healing and a new start.”
“What’s that mean, ‘the Land’s broken heart’?”
“Andy,” Mom interjected, “you know Oomaldee is one of three nations in a troika of power, right?”
“Yeah. Oomaldee, Carta, and Cromlech. The three nations agreed to share their specialties with each other: Oomaldee contributed technology, Carta gave its banking know-how, and Cromlech, its skill in healing.”
Mom and Jax nodded. Dad and Madison leaned forward.
Andy continued, “I read somewhere that their centers glowed as they cooperated. I still don’t completely understand what that means, but I also saw another note that Oomaldee’s light went out when Father did what he did to Aunt Imogenia.”
“That’s right, Andy,” Jax confirmed. “I saw Oomaldee’s light go out, a sad day to be sure. Merlin told me that’s also when he was instructed to break up Oomaldee’s heart into three parts and hide them lest they fall into the wrong hands.”
Dad and Madison exchanged looks as Andy turned back to the note:
“Three pieces and a letter which,
their ticking-tocking shows,
To reawaken what’s been dead,
to set their parts just so.”
“This makes it sound like Oomaldee’s heart is a clock,” Andy deduced.
“It’s a gear of sorts, actually,” Jax confirmed.
“So there are three pieces and a letter I’m supposed to find?”
“Sounds like it.”
“But where?”
“I think that’s the ‘what’ of the scavenger hunt.”
“Where do I even start?”
No one replied. Andy shook his head and turned back to the letter:
“The prowess of our Land, ‘tis true,
has birthed untold advance.
Technology has taken root
and spawned this land’s finance.”
Andy laughed. “Okay, this makes it sound like these pieces spread Oomaldee’s technological prowess”—he made double quotes in the air—“across the USA, making this country rich technologically, which then translates to money.” Medieval technology giving root to modern innovation? Yeah, tell that to Google.
Dad and Madison roared. Jax and Mom looked at the pair with wrinkled brows. Andy’s eyes ping-ponged between the four, unsure what to think.
Andy cleared his throat. “Moving right along…”
“Merlin knew the magic of
men and noble deeds,
And gathered those who knew, right well,
love’s power to succeed.”
“That sounds like King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table,” Madison interjected. “Merlin was involved with that!”
“Correctamundo, little maiden.”
Andy chuckled.
“Okay, but what’s that got to do with finding the parts to Oomaldee’s heart?” Andy drew a hand to the back of his neck.
“The knights were amazing warriors. The question may be, what lessons can you learn from them that can help you solve this?” Jax posited.
Andy blew out a breath, then continued reading:
“Seek not the aide of those about,
but puzzle each part out,
For all you’ve learned and felt and done,
will point the way throughout.”
“I get that I’m not allowed to ask for help, but it’s hard to believe that everything I’ve been through—what I’ve learned, felt, and done—will be enough
to guide me. I don’t see how. It doesn’t tell me enough.”
Mom drew a hand to her chest. “You may not know right this minute, but you’re creative. I’ve no doubt you’ll figure it out. You haven’t come this far to fail now, honey.”
Andy shook his head, then glanced back to the paper and finished rereading:
“This task, in part, a test that you,
might know your skill at last,
To rule our kingdom by your hand,
the Chosen One, steadfast.”
“It’s supposed to make me feel confident that I can rule Oomaldee well.” Andy ran a hand through his hair. “This isn’t going to be easy.”
“Nothing worth doing ever is,” Dad agreed, making the corners of Mom’s mouth inch upward. He’d said that more than a few times.
Mom actually believes I can solve this.
“Got any more questions for me?” Jax interrupted Andy’s musings.
Andy frowned. “No.”
“Well then, if my work here is done, I’ll be heading home. It’s been a long time.” Jax opened his satchel and began scrounging around. “If I can just remember where I put the directions Merlin left me…” A minute more and, with a silly grin, he held up a tattered piece of parchment. “Found it!” He scanned the document then spotted the wall clock. “Better be cruisin’ or I’ll miss my connection. Thanks to the innovations your land now enjoys compliments of Oomaldee’s heart, I don’t have to hoof it this time. I’ll be enjoying the comforts of rail.”
“Wait, the railroad didn’t exist when you came,” Andy protested.
“I can’t say more. It’s classified,” Jax flicked his brows and grinned. Andy could only shake his head.
“Why not fly?” Madison questioned.
Jax put a hand to his abdomen. “I’m no pegasus. I’ll keep my hooves firmly on the ground, thank you very much, or something attached to it at least.” He rose and made his way back to the foyer, then slung his weaponry over his back. “Ha! Much better, little maiden! Hair always got caught in my bow.”
“Glad you like it.” Madison approached and gave Jax a hug.
“Good luck, Andy.”
“Thanks. Hope I can figure it out.”
“You’re the Chosen One. You’ll do fine. Just be at peace and stay copacetic.”
“Queenie.” Jax bowed. “Be seein’ you around.”
Mom smiled. “Undoubtedly.”
“Mister Queenie. Nice meeting you.” Jax reached out to shake Dad’s hand. “Stay cool.”
“Definitely.” Dad splayed two fingers, sending Mom, Andy, and Madison into fits of laughter. “What? Can’t I be cool?”
“Uh, no Dad,” came Madison’s reply. “Stop trying.”
Andy opened the front door and Jax tousled his hair as he stepped out. “Peace, dude.”
Andy furrowed his brow. None of the neighbors reacted to the armed, headbanded, scrunchied, tattooed centaur trotting down their suburban street to the beat of his own drum.
CHAPTER TWO
Could It Be?
Thoughts of Yara broke the surface of Andy’s mind and he let loose a heavy sigh. Despair took another bite out of his soul as he ate his Froot Loops at the breakfast bar and washed them down with a glass of cold milk.
If only I could have reached her in time. If only I’d… He pushed the few remaining brightly colored rings around in the bowl and pondered what life might be like if she still lived.
After several minutes, he allowed his brain to push his ruminations aside and bring his new quest to the forefront. It had been a week since Jax’s visit. He’d been excited to get the challenge, assuming that once he solved it he’d go right back to Oomaldee and Father would be out of Abaddon’s control in no time. But he’d made no progress at figuring out the riddle despite obsessing over it, and frustration had taken root.
The land’s broken heart. The land’s broken heart… The phrase again swirled through his thoughts.
“Wait a minute!” Is the heart I’m supposed to put together part of Oomaldee’s center? The idea made him sit up.
Andy downed the last drops of milk, cleared his bowl to the sink, and bolted upstairs. The door to the attic at the end of the hall grumbled as it always did, but he opened it anyway and mounted the dark steps.
He now sat before the open maw of the trunk and placed an old video game cartridge at each corner of the scroll in question. He hadn’t translated the full scroll before, but it seemed critical he know the rest of its story. He reread the portion he remembered:
“As the nations cooperated in a spirit of unity and mutual benefit, their centers glowed, giving them power never before seen. While none fully understood the source, no foreign nation could harm any member. To be sure, over time, some enemies tried, but in every case the threat was revealed and soundly defeated.”
“‘None fully understood the source.’ Is this heart the source powering Oomaldee’s center?”
He continued scanning the text and with the aid of the decoder scroll began translating more of what an apprentice scribe had recorded:
“Word reached me today that my worst fears have come to pass: Oomaldee’s center has gone dark.
Despite stern looks from my master and senior apprentices, I took it upon myself to confirm. As a small boy, Father took me to see our center up close. Awe overcame me at hearing the thrum of its glowing heart. It was alive, mighty. It filled me with confidence that we would never have to worry about being overrun, unlike stories my parents whispered of neighbor nations.
I waited until no one was around and snuck close. I spotted the round box that used to glow. I regret to report that, like its body, its heart is also silent. Oomaldee’s center stands unmoving, like a statue to a dead ruler.”
“The heart powered Oomaldee’s center!” Andy pumped a fist. “If that’s the case, putting it together and reinstalling it…” A wide grin spread across his face. “That one scroll talked about how when the centers of the troika glowed, no foreign nation was able to harm any of the member nations. If that scroll’s true, once the troika is restored, we might be able to protect ourselves again and maybe even destroy Abaddon!” Andy had been part of reviving Cromlech’s center when they found Yara. “That’ll be two of the three centers restored! We’ll just have Carta’s to go. But first things first. I’ve got to figure out where Merlin hid all the parts.”
Another two weeks passed. It had been a month since Mr. Jax (as Madison had taken to calling him, a nod to the centaur’s favorite decade and Mister Ed) delivered the note. With the information Andy discovered from the scroll, he had attacked the challenge of solving the riddle with greater gusto. As Mom predicted, it proved a distraction from both Yara and Father.
Mom took Dad out shopping for a new sport coat on Saturday morning. His twenty-year-old antique was showing its age, and while frugality could be a virtue, she reminded him that, given his position, dressing like a pauper didn’t reflect well on the health of their company, especially in front of employees. Madison headed to Barnes & Noble to get their latest new release—she’d bored Andy with talk of the book all week.
Jax’s letter said I know everything I need to figure this out. Maybe if I gather everything I have from Oomaldee... Andy grabbed Methuselah’s hilt from Mom and Dad’s room, then picked up the sword’s holster, Jax’s note, and the pouch from beneath his nightstand and headed up to the attic.
He laid the note and Methuselah’s hilt on the floor, pulled out the two trays from the trunk, then dumped the contents of the pouch next to them. Like a dragon surveying its hoard, Andy inventoried the spoils: holster with purple pendant; decoder scroll; unsigned letter; fifteen scrolls; dagger (chilled fingers massaged his spine when he touched it); the gold key that had gotten him out of more than one tight spot; the sapphire from the dwarf mine; the ruby given to him by Gelon the gnome; the pendant he’d found in the troll hoard when searching for the unicorns; and the disc Mermin concocted to protect its bearer from harm by zolt.
> He picked up the ruby and sapphire and trained his flashlight on them. Still as clear and beautiful as ever. He turned each over and over, studying the facets and watching the light fracture and spray a shower of burgundy and deep blue pixels around the attic. He moved the stones, mixing the scattered light to form purple patterns. What can these tell me about where Merlin might have hidden the parts?
Inspiration remained silent, elusive, so he picked up the gold key. The instant he held the object a thwang sounded from inside the trunk, like something spring-loaded releasing. Andy sat forward and shone his light around the inside. And then he saw it.
He remembered Mermin telling him that trunks made for Oomish royalty often had concealed compartments. Andy focused his light on a four-inch-wide flap that stood open in the bar that supported the top tray.
He shone the light on where its twin protruded from the opposite side, but it remained unchanged. He ran a finger along its length but turned up nothing, so he returned his attention to the first.
Andy brought his light nearer to the opening. Something glinted gold. He crouched over the edge of the trunk to get a better look. A pair of metal gears rested in the cavity. As he pulled them out, their size surprised him. They had appeared no larger than a half dollar; now, holding the mechanism, the larger of the two wheels nearly filled his palm. “It’s the same as when I fit the unicorn horn into the book, but in reverse! That’s so cool!”
Examining the mechanism further, Andy noted that the diameter of the toothed top wheel was smaller than the bottom. A metal piece held the pair of wheels together with a pin running through the middle.