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

  I’m not alone. They understand. Andy lost the battle with tears he’d fought to suppress. “I’m proud to have you representing me on this mission,” he blubbered, drawing them into a group hug. No one resisted.

  When they finally pulled apart, Andy dried his tears and took several deep breaths. Once he’d regained his composure, he asked, “I’d like to know each company is safe on this mission. I mentioned my friendship with dragons and griffins?”

  The three nodded.

  “Well, if zolt show up, I’d like to be able to know and send my friends to help.”

  “You mean sending dragons and griffins?” Caldwell’s eyes grew wide.

  “What’d you have in mind?” Mendell asked.

  “Andy, no!” MiniMe protested.

  They’re going to be putting their lives on the line. I need to know what’s happening with them.

  MiniMe huffed, “You want me to connect with their innerus? I suppose you’d like to see things from their perspective while I’m at it?”

  You can do that?

  Andy’s inneru growled, “That was supposed to be a joke.”

  But can you let me see things from their perspectives?

  His inneru didn’t respond.

  MiniMe?

  “Oh, all right…yes, I can.”

  Turning back to his twins Andy asked, “Do I have your permission to try something on you?”

  “Will it hurt?” Judson questioned.

  “No.”

  “I’ll try it first,” Caldwell offered.

  Within seconds a puzzled expression ghosted across Caldwell’s face, and Andy jumped. He saw himself standing across the circle with Mendell and Judson flanking him.

  This is so cool! Thanks MiniMe!

  Harrumph.

  A grin replaced Caldwell’s puzzlement. “You’re in my head!”

  “Actually, my inneru joined yours.” Andy’s eyes danced. “It allowed me to see what you’re seeing.”

  “It feels warm and smells like baking bread.”

  “Hey, his inneru was nice to me,” MiniMe reported, returning a second later.

  “Try me,” Mendell said. “Mmm…frytour! Only my absolute favorite dessert!”

  “Fried chicken!” Judson exclaimed a minute later.

  “Hey, that’s one of my favorite foods too!” Andy echoed.

  “Can our innerus do it to you, too?” Caldwell asked.

  “I don’t know. Try it,” Andy suggested.

  It took a few attempts, but Caldwell and Andy’s innerus finally synced. Andy exclaimed, “I taste chicken and dumplings!”

  “And I saw through your eyes!” Caldwell declared.

  “Just remember, if you happen to get turned, Abaddon can see everything you see, so don’t do it then,” Andy cautioned.

  “Andy, you’ve got to tell them not to do it with anyone else, or their innerus could get in trouble from headquarters,” MiniMe begged. Andy dutifully shared the concern.

  As they disbanded later that afternoon, Andy and his comrades slapped each other on the back and offered encouraging farewells:

  “Good luck on your mission.”

  “Safe travels.”

  “Thanks for sharing.”

  “See you in the morning.”

  Andy immediately reached out to Daisy and Sophocles so they would be ready to help if the situation arose.

  Judging by the teary eyes and long hugs across the courtyard, it looked like Hannah and her doppelgangers had experienced a similar time of bonding. Daralis caught Andy’s eye as her group broke up. Andy waved. Stay safe.

  The next morning, Andy arrived at breakfast dressed in typical Oomish attire: brown tunic, black leggings, and hunter-green travel cloak. Methuselah’s blade hung from a belt that hugged his waist. While he’d never carried Methuselah except as an unextended hilt, the regents had asked Andy to have it fully extend to match the doppelgangers’ blades.

  Over his back he’d slung a modest pack with one change of clothes, the book only he could see, a bedroll, and food. Everyone standing around in the great hall had made similar preparations, although the sheer number of people milling about surprised Andy. He counted no less than sixty.

  Andy walked over and joined Alden, whose hair was now deep chestnut. Hannah chatted with her family. Andy was still adjusting to Alden’s new look, and from Hannah’s continued glances, apparently so was she. Hans joined them a minute later, handing Alden a small package.

  “Just in case.” The healer didn’t need to explain.

  Hans moved on to distribute similar packages to the Alden lookalikes.

  “Excuse me for a minute.” Andy spotted Caldwell, Mendell, and Judson in the throng. All three wore brown tunics, black leggings, and hunter-green travel cloaks, and sheaths bearing gold-handled swords hung at their sides. They bowed as Andy joined them, but unlike yesterday, their postures remained relaxed, even sharing fist bumps. The gesture again drew chuckles. “Well, we could certainly pass for twins,” Andy joked. Having multiple lookalikes felt weird. “You ready?”

  Levity died as Caldwell pressed his lips together. “This is for Roldan.”

  Mendell nodded, sneaking a peek at the King.

  “I’ve been imagining myself in the stories you told yesterday,” Judson shared. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” The youth exuded calm.

  Regent Cronkar interrupted a minute later, shouting over the din. “If I can have everyone’s attention. Join up with your company. Captain, if you’ll do the honors.”

  Much shuffling and moving about produced four nearly identical clumps of humanity, and the captain proceeded with introductions. “Company number one, raise your hands.” Fifteen hands lifted at the captain’s command. “You all know each other, and I think you also know my men: Sergeants Gavin, Terric, Hammond, Fulk, Rosser, Ector, and Albin.” Each soldier stepped forward as the captain called his name. They had all been with Andy on his last expedition to the griffins, and their presence reassured him.

  “Company two,” Captain Ladilas intoned, at which Caldwell and fourteen others raised their hands. The captain went around and introduced each member.

  Judson and Daralis raised their hands when the captain called for company three, and Mendell was part of company four.

  As each participant stepped forward to be acknowledged, Andy noticed that Father, with Mom at his side, clenched his jaw. The King breathed deeply, trying to maintain a calm exterior, but he didn’t fool Andy.

  Regent Cronkar rose. “Thank you, Captain. I want to thank each one of you for your willingness to serve our kingdom in this capacity. Each of you has committed to this assignment knowing you will face dangers, but you chose to put aside personal interests. Rest assured, your service will be rewarded.” He droned on for several minutes going over logistics until Father stepped forward.

  “Thank you, my friend,” the King patted the regent’s shoulder while swallowing hard and clearing his throat.

  Turning to the groups, he began, “I want to extend my personal thanks as well. The decision you have made will change each of your lives. Seldom is opportunity given for the ordinary citizen to serve in such a capacity, and you all have risen to the challenge. The officers among your ranks will do their best to ensure your safety. But no one knows the future. We each have only this moment, to make of it the most we can. This kingdom is more than me. It’s more than our queen. And it’s more than our prince. This kingdom is its citizens and the choices we all make. You have honored me by following my leadership, and I have done my best, despite the curse, to produce a bright future for our land. I believe this trip will finally bring about the change I have long sought.”

  A hush of whispers welled up, and Hannah and Alden ricocheted looks with Andy.

  “And now, let us be off!” Applause erupted as Father concluded his remarks. Alden and Hannah said their good-byes to family, and the four companies headed toward the courtyard and beyond.

  On his way out, Andy spotted Daralis and caug
ht up with her. He tamped down raw emotions that rose every time he saw her. “Sorry about the other day. I behaved badly.”

  “No offense taken. I can’t imagine if the same thing happened to me. I’m really sorry for your loss.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Hey, good luck on this mission.” She smiled warmly.

  “Yeah, you too.”

  Judson approached. “Come on, Imposter-Hannah. We’ve got some zolt behind to kick,” he joked.

  “Indeed we do, Imposter-Andy.” Daralis winked at the real Andy.

  The gesture was exactly what Yara used to do, and he froze.

  “See ya.” She waved, and Andy recovered in time to wave back. He watched the pair head down the stairs.

  Andy met up with his company in the courtyard. Hannah checked that the King was out of earshot before she probed, “Is it just me or did that speech he gave have a double meaning?”

  “It’s not just you,” Andy confirmed.

  Hannah and Alden sighed. They hadn’t seen the latest note, and Andy hadn’t divulged its contents. Now he took the opportunity to tell them.

  “It said to bring the book with all the ingredients we’ve collected,” Andy confessed.

  “But it’s back at Castle Avalon,” Alden objected.

  Andy shook his head. “The night I rescued Father, I grabbed it too. I didn’t know when I might have another chance. Took some digging with Mermin’s library all torn up, but I finally found it.”

  “But I didn’t see you with it,” Hannah thought back. Andy cocked his head and raised his brows. “Right…it’s invisible,” Hannah accepted with a smile.

  “Is that why Razen’s coming too?” Alden questioned.

  Andy nodded.

  Andy and company hopped out of the pinnace and onto dry ground, and the privates not joining their mission started rowing back to Castle Ferrin. Due to the length of their expedition, the regents had decided to hide only one boat at the jumping-off point. As each company returned, they would send a pair back to re-hide it, creating the illusion that only one small group had left.

  The soldiers formed a wheel formation around the group as they set out in a thick haze. Albin and Hammond disappeared out front to scout, Terric and Captain Ladilas brought up the rear, and the others paired off to flank either side. Andy decided to take the lead within the formation, and Alden and Hannah fell in beside him. Razen and Father walked in the middle, and Mom and Mermin brought up the rear.

  Hannah and Alden tried to draw Andy in to their bland conversation, but his mind spilled over with concerns about what might soon transpire. They finally left him to his thoughts. Every so often Father and Razen’s conversation drifted forward, and Andy ground his teeth. I may be missing something, but I don’t see how Razen’s frozen inneru won’t rat us out to Abaddon. How can Father not SEE it?

  MiniMe cleared his throat but said nothing. Andy just rolled his eyes.

  The territory was familiar to Andy, having traversed it only days ago to rescue Father. They stuck to cover as much as possible, knowing vulture-patrols flying overhead would be able to spot them through the fog with their keen sight.

  “Hello, Imogenia,” Mom intoned several minutes later.

  “My queen.”

  Everyone turned. The haze made it hard to distinguish the shimmery white spirit drifting alongside them, but Andy saw enough to recognize the dirty look she sent Father.

  “Sister, it’s nice to see you.”

  Harrumph.

  “Are you my loyal subject?” Mom interrupted.

  Imogenia gasped and drew translucent hands to her mouth. “Of course! I’m saddened you would even question that.”

  “I just had to make sure. You must tell no one of our mission.”

  “You have my word. Where are you going anyway?”

  Don’t tell her. Don’t tell her, Andy’s thoughts warned.

  “We’re going to Mount Mur Eyah to break the curse.”

  Doh! Andy shot a glare back toward Mom.

  Imogenia frowned but quickly recovered. “It’s dangerous. Centaurs are nothing to fool with.”

  “You’re right. It’s not what we’d most love to be doing, trust me. But because you won’t revoke the curse, what other option do we have?”

  Imogenia leaned away from the queen, as if physically struck by the force of her words.

  “We wouldn’t have to go and endanger ourselves if—”

  The spirit held up a hand. “I won’t help you, but if you can break the curse by completing the potion he’s been collecting ingredients for—” Imogenia sulked as she directed her chin toward Andy “—I won’t thwart you.”

  “Thank you, Imogenia,” the queen replied. “I appreciate your consideration.”

  The spirit bowed and Andy shook his head. Between Razen and Imogenia, this mission has success written all over it. Andy’s scowl dissuaded the comment Hannah was about to make. She shrugged and turned back to Alden.

  “Captain, we’ve got company,” Sergeant Gavin informed from Andy’s left as five specks flew into view through the fog.

  “Remain calm,” the captain commanded in a whisper.

  But as the zolt closed in, he issued a new order: “Pair up and keep your identities hidden.”

  Andy teamed with the fleet Fulk, who brandished his sword in ready position beside him.

  Woosh. Woosh. Woosh. Sergeants Rosser, Hammond, and Albin let loose a volley of arrows. Two found their marks. Thuds followed of enemy meeting the ground.

  Woosh. Woosh. Woosh. The second volley took out the remaining three.

  “Let’s just hope they didn’t make out who we are and relay that back to base,” the captain remarked.

  Fulk inspected the fallen. “These zolt won’t be causing us any more trouble,” he announced a minute later. The three officers removed their arrows from the corpses then covered them with loose brush.

  By lunchtime the turrets of Castle Avalon came into view through the haze, and they stopped briefly to eat.

  As they set out once more, Captain Ladilas instructed, “We’re most exposed as we venture near the city. With the price Abaddon’s put on your heads—” His eyes bounced between Father, Mom, and Andy. “—we can’t be too careful. Everyone draw your hoods.” The reminder set nerves on edge and silenced conversation.

  The soldiers shifted their standard formation to blend in with the company. They gave Castle Avalon, Abaddon’s new lair, a wide berth and stuck to the outskirts of the city of Oops. Even though it should not have come as any surprise, Andy’s shoulders slumped. What few people they saw all had long arms and beak-like noses. Judson had told Andy that anyone who possessed one of Mermin’s discs now secretly sheltered unprotected citizens Abaddon and his goons had not yet turned.

  “I wish we could have distwibuted more before we wan out,” Mermin intoned, as if reading Andy’s thoughts. “There’d be a lot fewer turned.” Mom patted the wizard on the shoulder.

  Before long they encountered a three-man Oomish army patrol. Crap. They can’t know it’s us. Tensions rose. Andy pulled his hood tighter. He chanced a peek out the periphery. The patrol slowed, each man furrowing his brow.

  We look out of place. Only Razen’s been turned.

  Alden didn’t shy away. “Thank you for all you’re doing for us. My family and I appreciate you.”

  The compliment caused the tallest of the three to bob his head. “It’s our pleasure. Have a good day.”

  “You too.”

  Loud exhales followed a minute later, and Alden explained, “No one else, except maybe Hannah, could have done that—not the officers and certainly not you, Majesty. With my new get-up, I figured I’d look like the average citizen.”

  “Great thinking. We passed our first test because of you,” Andy praised.

  They passed a sketchy-looking bird-citizen rattling a box of discs the size and color of those Mermin manufactured. “Protect the pretty girl from looking like me?” the guy called. “Only three spannings.”


  From the back of the group, Mermin gasped. Clearly they were knockoffs. Andy had to hold himself in check not to throttle the guy, but he knew any action would expose their mission. Several soldiers’ faces reddened and a few cracked their knuckles, itching for justice.

  Further on, a shout made everyone jump.

  “Uncle!” A boy rose from where he’d been sitting under an old oak tree. A herd of goats grazed on bark and scrub nearby. The lad waddled up to the company.

  The goat herder! He’s been changed. Recognition dawned on Alden and Hannah as well. The trio had brushed up against the herding-challenged boy—and his unruly goats—too many times. Even so, seeing the result of Abaddon’s evil spell made Andy seethe. No one deserves this.

  Razen stepped toward the lad and embraced him.

  “I’ve blocked you-know-who,” the boy announced. Razen’s shoulders relaxed.

  What did he mean, he’s blocked you-know-who?

  “It’s good to see you, Usher. How’s your mother?”

  A quick glance over the group and Andy knew the surprise was unanimous.

  “She’s well. When are you coming for dinner?”

  “It won’t be for a while, with all my commitments at the castle. But I’ll try in a couple weeks, okay?”

  As they talked, a handful of goats butted their way between company members then proceeded to stand on hind legs and nibble at backpacks, sensing tasty morsels within.

  “Yah!” Fulk planted a knee in one furry nibbler’s midsection.

  Hannah cowered and whimpered until Alden broadsided another goat, sending it on its way.

  Rosser backed away before his curious, bearded nemesis could land its hooves on his back.

  “Sorry about that.” Usher chased the remaining offenders out of the group. “I better get them moving.”

  Ya think?

  Razen scanned both directions and issued a nasally warning. “Usher, you must not tell anyone you’ve seen us.”

  The lad nodded and Razen rubbed his head. “Good boy. Give these to your mother. But get yourself a treat first.” Razen handed him several coins, making him grin.