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!

by L. R. W. Lee

  “Is this part of Oomaldee’s heart? The timing has to be more than coincidence.” He spun the gear. Despite its apparent age, it purred as if recently greased. He turned it over several times, studying it in disbelief. “This must have been here the whole time. How did I not find it before?”

  Did Merlin hide this gear here? He smiled as he considered that Merlin, a mage known throughout the entire world, might have hidden something for him to find. It seemed too incredible to believe.

  Who does this trunk belong to anyway? Andy had never stopped to consider. He cleared a path in front of the chest and circled, using his light to scrutinize every inch of its exterior. Finding nothing of note, he closed the lid and tipped the trunk on its back to examine the belly. A brass plaque was secured to the center. Closer inspection revealed its message:

  Property of Prince Kaysan.

  Crafted of the Finest Wood

  from Merlin’s Oak

  “Father…it’s yours…” He ran a hand across one side. Father has touched this. The intimate realization made him long to be near him once more. If only I could go back right now. I know I can rescue you.

  Frustration nibbled at the edge of Andy’s mind. “How can I speed this up?” He rubbed a leg. A lesson Father had taught him added a spark to his building angst: ruling well requires putting what’s best for the people before your own interests. He longed to free Father, but if the heart of Oomaldee was restored it would benefit the whole land. The gut-wrenching struggle ignited an inferno. Andy thrust his fists up and shouted at the rafters, “How am I supposed to figure this out?” He blew out a long breath and shook his head.

  After fuming for several minutes, he clenched his jaw and picked up the gear again. If this is part of the heart, I just need the other two parts. But if it’s not, it’ll take longer. Decision made, Andy declared, “The timing is more than coincidence. This is part of the heart of Oomaldee.” He willed it to be true even though the voice of doubt nibbled at the back of his mind.

  “Okay, what do I have to do to find the other two? The sooner the better,” he growled. Andy picked up Jax’s note and reread a paragraph:

  “Merlin knew the magic of

  men and noble deeds,

  And gathered those who knew, right well

  love’s power to succeed.”

  What does King Arthur’s Round Table have to do with finding these? Andy reassembled the trunk and pouch, grabbed the gear, and headed downstairs.

  By the time Mom, Dad, and Madison made it back, Andy had discovered that when Merlin crafted the Round Table where King Arthur’s famous knights sat, its shape allowed no one to claim seniority above the others. He’d also found that Merlin used his finest oak and imbued it with the magic of love. One text explained that he did so because love is not pure within men, whose hearts can grow fickle. But having imbued the wood itself, the knights loved each other as brothers, with a deep affection and without reservation, and served their fellow man out of the abundance of this love.

  Andy remembered the plaque on Father’s chest and the source of the wood used to build it. If Merlin used the same oak to build Father’s trunk and the Round Table, things sure turned out differently between the two. He must not have infused love into the trunk. Wait. Love… We love with our hearts. Realization dawned and Andy felt his body relax. “Merlin did infuse the trunk with love. He hid part of Oomaldee’s heart inside it!”

  Andy’s hands trembled as he inspected the gear once more. This is part of Oomaldee’s heart. After everything he’d read about the combined strength of the troika’s power, he looked upon the gear with newfound respect. “Can your power be reignited?” Andy exhaled.

  The thought had barely drawn breath when a white daisy floated down and landed on the desk by Andy’s hand. He scanned the ceiling, but like so many other times when objects had mysteriously appeared, he couldn’t locate the source. He picked up the flower by the stem and examined its parts. “Who’s trying to tell me something? And what?”

  *****

  “Mom? Mom!”

  Two weeks later, Andy hunted for Mom in her usual places. When she didn’t turn up in any of these, he headed for her less favorite spots. Where could she be? This house isn’t that big.

  Andy was headed back to the kitchen when sudden movement, something dropping onto the sofa in the family room, caught his attention. “Umph.”

  “Mom!”

  “Oh, Andy!” Mom sat up and adjusted her tunic before standing and checking that her anelaces, the pair of short swords that hung from her belt on either side, hadn’t cut the couch.

  “Where have you been?” Andy inspected Mom for blood or injuries.

  “Oomaldee. I’m pleased to report Mermin is doing a fine job managing things in my absence.”

  “How’d you manage to get back? It’s usually a long time between visits, but it’s been what, just two months?”

  “It seems the powers that be are allowing me to help stabilize the situation, for which I am deeply grateful. We are in the fight of our lives.” She took a deep breath. “Abaddon has stepped up his efforts. He’s trying to utterly demoralize the citizens by turning everyone into zolt. Between that and continuing to parade Father about like a puppet, the situation is tenuous at best. Abaddon shaved Father’s head and he’s covered in bruises.”

  Andy met Mom’s eyes.

  “I was there for two weeks this time…but there’s so much to be done.” As always, Oomaldee time didn’t match up with United States time, or at least not Texas time, and Mom’s absence had gone undetected. “We need the help of our friends and neighbors. And I need to visit each of them and gain their support for the fight ahead. Oh, I nearly forgot.”

  Mom reached into her tunic and pulled out an envelope. “Alden and Hannah asked me to give this to you.”

  Andy brightened. “Looks like you’re the Pony Express.”

  “Thanks.” She faked a frown as she passed over the note. “Now, I better get changed before Dad and Maddy see me dressed like this and get upset.”

  Andy tore open the envelope:

  Andy,

  Seeing Queen Emmalee was a surprise. Here we were thinking it’d be a year or more before we got to talk to you again. Hopefully you’ll return soon, but if not, we can still communicate this way.

  How are you doing?

  Andy paused. For being only four words, the last sentence was not at all simple at the moment. Father. Yara. Only dark thoughts emerged and he decided to worry about his response later.

  Abaddon’s turning more and more people from reports we’re hearing. It’s worse than ever. His goons are going house to house, dragging people into the street and turning them. It’s awful. Hannah’s crying even as I write this, but we wanted to make sure you knew. The queen knows but in case she doesn’t tell you for fear of upsetting you...

  Andy swallowed hard. His stomach felt like someone was doing cartwheels inside.

  On a brighter note, we’ve been exploring Castle Ferrin. It needs work after not being inhabited for so many years.

  Interestingly, there’s a throne room with a huge throne. Why doesn’t the King have one at Castle Avalon?

  Good question. I’ve never thought about it.

  I miss Optimistic. I hope she’s doing okay and they’re feeding her.

  My mom’s got us cleaning and polishing, removing every speck of dirt in the kitchens between meal preparations. I never knew there could be so much gunk. I guess one good thing is that with all the cleaning it helps keep my mind busy and not focused on Optimistic since there’s nothing I can do to help her anyway.

  I feel the same way about Father…

  That’s all the news for now. Write back, okay?

  Alden & Hannah

  Andy ran a hand over his face and scribbled a response that avoided expounding on his true mental state. He hoped that when Mom delivered it, assuming that was before his next trip, Alden and Hannah wouldn’t notice, although he doubted it.

  “I
’ve got to solve this riddle faster,” he grumped.

  *****

  Several days later, Andy arrived home from school to find a note from Mom indicating she and Maddy were attending the College Discovery session at the high school and would be home later.

  He extracted the gear from his backpack and spun it, doing his best to push away his impatience to complete the quest so he could get back and rescue Father. The letter’s talking about the Knights of the Round Table. Jax said I need to figure out what lessons I can learn from them. What do I know about any them?

  “I’ve met Sir Gawain, Sir Kay, and Sir Lancelot. Well, statues of them.” Andy smiled. The miniature Sir Lancelot outside his chamber door always cheered him on, all the while holding down Clarence the barbarian who never seemed to behave to the knight’s standards.

  Andy laughed remembering the one-upmanship of Sir Kay and Sir Gawain, which he found endearing. But a somber thought followed. The pair had taught him and Alden how to wield swords and in doing so had gained a position of great respect in Andy’s heart. He shuddered. With all the fights Alden and I have been in, we’d be dead if not for them.

  His mind dredged up another memory that eased the ache. Several years before, as a punishment, Razen had tasked Andy with squashing a pesky pixie infestation in the stables. The instructions he’d been given to capture the little menaces proved grossly ineffective, and he’d despaired of ever completing the job. But the other Sir Gawain statue, the one that stood in the entryway of the Cavalry Training Center, had rallied other stone effigies to help. In no time the horde of living statues had captured and caged every unruly pixie.

  Other statue-knights had helped by informing on zolt activity.

  Okay, but how does knowing all that help find the heart? Andy looked to the ceiling and clenched his fists. “This is gonna take forever at this rate.”

  Andy took several deep breaths and let them out slowly. “Maybe I need to look at this differently. How many knights did King Arthur have anyway?” He headed for the study.

  A quick Google search told him the number ranged anywhere from twelve to one hundred and fifty! Andy ran a hand through his hair. Father’s mantra jogged through his head: Everything should be exactly as it is. He tried to accept that.

  “Maybe I should start by finding out more about the three knights I already know. I’ll start with Sir Lancelot.” It took Andy very little time to find a host of information about the brave warrior. The more he researched, the more awed he felt at the knight’s prowess and heart for people—he wished he could be even half the knight Lancelot proved himself to be. One story in particular struck him, “Sir Lancelot and the Copper Knight.” He paraphrased aloud:

  “Lancelot is knighted by King Arthur and sets out on an adventure…”

  Andy’s imagination captured him and whisked him away. He sat upon an armor-clad steed trotting through a snow-covered wood. The horse followed a winding road. Gravel peeked out from bare patches in the white blanket.

  Andy ducked when a thick branch reached for him, making his knightly armor creak. Eerie silence filled the wood and excited a chill up his back. No birds chirped, no animals groused—only the sighings of snow-covered branches betrayed that life existed in the thick undergrowth lining the path.

  He scanned fore and aft and tightened his grip on his broadsword, then encouraged his steed to increase its pace. He traveled this way for several miles, periodically breathing warmth to his numb fingers.

  Around midday the wood thinned then stopped, and Andy halted the stallion. Before him rose a many-turreted, white castle. Flecks of quartz sparkled in the white stone, making it look as though the drifted snow rose nearly to heaven. Pennants of ruby and cobalt fluttered in the gentle breeze.

  Andy encouraged the horse forward, taking care to ensure his steed secured solid footing with each punch through the knee-high drifts. He reached a hulking set of wooden doors and called out, “Hello! Anyone there?”

  Hearing scurrying and voices on the other side, Andy blew on his hands as he waited. The horse bobbed its head and stomped at the delay. When several minutes passed and nothing happened, he tried again.

  “Fare thee well! Is anyone about?” Andy remembered hearing the statue of Sir Lancelot outside his chambers say that. I hope it produces better results.

  A minute later, one of the doors wheezed open and a tall, thin soldier dressed in ragged tunic and patched leggings squeezed through. The man’s gaunt face and gray, patchy whiskers made Andy think of Hans, the castle healer on loan from Cromlech. “Who might you be and what business have ye?”

  “I’m Sir Lancelot and I wish to stay the night.”

  “You’ve reached Dolorous Guard. If you wish to enter, on order of his lordship, Brandin of the Isles, also known as the Copper Knight, you’ll be needin’ to defeat the ten knights guarding the first wall, another ten at the second wall, and then the Copper Knight himself in single combat.”

  “But sir—”

  The soldier waved both hands and added in a monotone, “No exceptions.”

  “But why?”

  “Lord Brandin placed a curse on this castle so knights the likes of you don’t take his power.”

  “A curse?”

  “Aye.” The man looked left then right and cupped a hand to the side of his mouth. “But we’d all be in your debt if you’d break it. Lord Brandin—”

  “Fendril, what’s taking you so long?” A gruff voice huffed from behind.

  The soldier shuffled back inside. Sharp tones emanated from within, but Andy couldn’t tell what was being said.

  At length, the soldier reappeared. “So ye still wish to enter? Been many brave knights who’ve tried, God rest their souls.”

  Andy thumped a fist against his chest. “On my honor and my life, I will do my best to destroy this rogue who has afflicted you.”

  The scruffy man popped back inside and a minute later the door opened fully, permitting Andy and his steed entrance. They approached a towering wall that made him feel like nothing more than a bug. A portcullis punctuated the expanse. When Andy was ten yards away, the metal grate rose and a knight with chiseled features emerged.

  Andy had barely drawn his sword when his opponent charged, sword pointed at his mount’s heart. Andy nudged his steed at the last second and they sidestepped the brute. Unwilling to endanger the horse further, Andy slid from the saddle, held up his shield, and braced for conflict.

  The adversary’s mass proved his undoing, for the second time he charged, Andy stuck a foot in his path and the knight flipped and thudded to a stop. Andy pressed a knee to the warrior’s back. “Rope, please.”

  He caught a length of twine that was tossed from atop the wall. He was binding his enemy when the portcullis again rose and another knight barreled out, jaw clenched. Without time to finish restraining his captive, Andy leapt from his crouch and deflected the opponent’s blow. His first rival rose and joined his fellow.

  It took much quickness and deception with his moves, but Andy sliced the forearm of the second challenger, forcing him to drop his weapon. The first opponent charged and he again tripped him. Andy just barely succeeded in binding the two knights before a third challenger entered the fray.

  Andy bested the next four challengers in similar fashion as the sun’s shadows grew long.

  He breathed heavily, waiting for the next foe to emerge, but the portcullis remained down. “Who wishes to challenge me next?” Andy shouted to the top of the wall.

  “Day’s done. None will fight ye this night,” one of his captives informed. “Now if ye would unbind us so we may return to our homes…”

  A chill rocked his body, the result of his sweat-drenched clothes. They’re going to make me fight ten more knights tomorrow. The rogues…

  Andy frowned but released his captives, then retrieved his horse and retired to the woods for the night. He found a copse of trees dense enough to halt the snow’s advance and built a fire. He warmed himself and considered his st
rategy for the next day as he ate a simple dinner of dried meat and cheese.

  Over the fire’s crackle, Andy heard footsteps crunch in the snow beyond the glow of the flames. He whipped out his blade. “Who goes there? Show yourself.”

  “Put your blade away. I mean you no harm,” a maiden’s voice whispered through the trees.

  Andy stood his ground until a young woman, no older than twenty winters, meandered into sight. She wore a thin white cloak that fluttered just above her bare feet. While her presence was surprise enough, she glided across the snow, never leaving a mark despite being weighed down by three shields slung across her back. “My name is Alys. The Lady of the Lake sent me to give aid.”

  Andy sheathed his sword and helped the maiden unburden herself. “How did you know? How did you get here? Here, have some cheese. Warm yourself by the fire.”

  Ignoring his comments, the maiden explained, “This shield bearing one red diagonal band—” she pointed to the topmost aegis “—will double your strength. The one with two bands will triple it. The third will give you the strength of four men. I shall bear your armor on the morrow. It is time this curse is broken.”

  They chatted briefly, but the young lady insisted Andy sleep and she would keep watch.

  The next morning Andy returned to the castle. The guards permitted him and Alys entry through the hulking wooden gate. He reached the wall where he’d fought the day before, but a brutish soldier with wild eyes didn’t wait for the portcullis to rise fully. The rogue ducked under the gate and barreled toward him. Andy circled opposite the foe, hoping to gain an advantage by inciting him to attack first, which he did. Andy sidestepped at the last second and the warrior stumbled past without making contact. Andy followed up, connecting the pommel of his sword with the back of the brute’s head as he passed. The enemy went down.