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

  Lord Jayden clapped his hands. “Welcome, friends. It is a great honor to have you join us tonight. I want to take this opportunity to first of all recognize Jax, Houston, Malcolm, and Lorica. Your untiring service over the past five centuries in a world not your own has earned you a place of honor in our hearts. You have faithfully executed your duties and have protected that which Merlin entrusted to us.” Enthusiastic applause filled the room. Andy added a whistled salute, which sent chuckles rippling.

  “Prince Andrew, you are to be commended as well. They’ve told me about your exploits and determination to discover each part of Oomaldee’s heart and assemble them so this world might be restored.”

  Andy wanted to deflect the attention but forced himself to meet the centaur’s gaze. “Thank you, Lord Jayden.” Then, inspired by the moment, he climbed up and knelt atop his stool, adding, “Thank you, Jax, for being bold enough to knock on our front door.”

  Mom chuckled, remembering.

  “Hey, it’s copacetic. It’s what I do,” the centaur held up two fingers in a peace sign.

  “He didn’t used to talk that way,” Jayden laughed. “But what should we expect after such a long assignment. It’s bound to change you.”

  Andy continued, “Houston, I can honestly say you are the best roper I know.”

  The centaur nodded. “Much obliged, pardner.”

  “Malcolm, thank you for all those Dragon Slayer games, as well as for that lift to the museum.”

  “It was my pleasure seeing as I was eating all your parents’ cereal and milk.”

  “That’s why you did it?”

  “Psych! No, that had nothing to do with it. Although that cereal is delicious!”

  Mom rolled her eyes. “You had me thinking Andy was going through a growth spurt.”

  Grins swelled about the table.

  “And Lorica, may you be ever showered by the love that those daisies represent. You all rock!”

  “Aww…that’s so sweet,” Nixie sighed across from him. Her older sister grinned before averting her eyes once more.

  Lorica beamed. “Did he tell you about being buried by daisies?”

  Brows furrowed along the right side of the table.

  “Ask him sometime.” She winked at Andy.

  A centaur in a white chef’s coat and toque hat cantered forward with a bounce in his step. He stopped behind Lord Jayden and sighed. “Such lovely sentiments. I nearly want to cry.” The big guy swiped at an eye and swallowed hard.

  “Let me introduce Chef Coquin,” the lord intoned. “Never have I tasted finer cuisine.”

  The centaur drew a hand to his chest. “You honor me, sir.” Then to the rest of the attendees, “I simply adore cooking for those who appreciate my work. You bring out my creativity.” He kissed his fingertips and released it with a flourish before resuming his bouncing. “Tonight I have prepared for you roast pheasant with white wine sauce and charlotte potatoes. My assistant is gifted and managed to find the perfect juniper berries.” His voice rose, “Oh, they are so succulent. Magnifico. Mm. Mm. Mm.”

  Andy whispered to Mermin at his right, “Based on the buildup alone, this guy has to be a genius.” The wizard smiled.

  “We also have Gourdes in Potage, Perry of Pesoun.” Servers entered the hall, arms laden with the delicacies the chef listed. “Wardonys, Frumente yn Lentyn. Oh, you’re going to absolutely love this: Bruet Sarcenes. The venison is absolutely perfect tonight!” The chef sighed. “We also have Mortrews and Pyes de Pares. And to finish it all off, I’ve prepared two little sweet somethings: Gyngerbrede and Payne Foundow, which I’m sure you’ll enjoy. Oh, you all are in for such a treat. Please enjoy!”

  Andy had no idea what the enthusiastic centaur had said, but the enticing aromas wafting his direction made him understand how the leader had accomplished his girth—his daughters remaining thin proved the mystery. Servers brought each dish around and served the lord, his lady, then everyone else.

  Andy attempted to engage Rhyan in conversation several times during dinner but only succeeded in discovering that Nixie had failed Intro to the Healing Arts, couldn’t get enough of archery, and had little patience for the mysteries of the stars. And was quite the talker.

  She also mentioned in passing that her older sister was a huge bookworm, loved star-gazing, and had observed something disturbing in the stars recently, to which the elder sent the younger a stern look before biting her lip and averting her eyes once more. Andy started jiggling his foot.

  Andy also kept tabs on the conversation the lord and lady were having with Father and Mom. They had explained the situation concerning Abaddon, and Jayden seemed open to lending support.

  Father pulled out a gold envelope from his tunic, drawing their hosts’ curiosity. Rhyan leaned over to listen. Father patted Mom’s arm and she in turn patted Andy’s, drawing him into the conversation.

  “We received this note not long ago,” Father began. “It, like others in the past, is providing guidance to break the curse that has befallen our land. I’d like to read it to you if you’ll indulge me.”

  Jayden nodded. “By all means.”

  Father unfolded the single page and read aloud:

  “A prophet, a star-gazer, noble and true.

  Wise and honorable with foresight, pursue.

  Brave in battle, yet gentle to heal,

  A study in contrasts, to you he’ll reveal.

  In the heart of the mountain he dwells with his tribe,

  Discerner of truth, he cares not if you jibe.

  Go to him. Listen, for he will foretell

  What you must shoulder for all to be well.

  Include in your company your cupbearer most trusted

  And the book that conceals, its contents entrusted.”

  Lady Elmina inclined her head to the side, as did Jayden.

  “That might explain it,” she deduced, looking to her husband who nodded. “A fortnight ago, we saw portents in the stars: the doorway between two worlds under the light from a quarter moon. A cauldron was placed before it, to which a wizard added five ingredients. The stars didn’t reveal what the ingredients were specifically.”

  Mom pulled a hand over her mouth, and Father and Andy shared looks.

  The lady hesitated, unsure whether she should go on.

  “Please,” Mom encouraged.

  “My lord gave the wizard a strand from his mane, and he added that to the concoction.”

  Mom clutched Father’s arm.

  “What happened next?” Andy asked.

  Father shifted uncomfortably.

  “We don’t know,” Jayden concluded. “The stars did not reveal more. The whole thing has puzzled us—until now.” Lady Elmina nodded and exchanged a wide-eyed look with her mate.

  There’s more. What are they not saying?

  “There’s a portal to another world just down the mountain a ways. Merlin asked us to guard it after Jax and the others crossed the threshold,” Jayden added.

  Andy rubbed his forearm. “When is this supposed to happen?” The question drew conflicted expressions from Mom and Father.

  “Usually the stars do not reveal times, but this was very clear. With the quarter moon so evident, these things must pass before it waxes,” Jayden informed.

  “Waxes?” Andy questioned.

  “Gets fuller,” Rhyan clarified. “Tomorrow is the height of this moon’s quarter.”

  Andy struggled to swallow the rising bile.

  “Once the curse is broken, I hope the wild centaurs are restored to their right minds and dignity,” Jayden interjected, not understanding all that Andy, Mom, and Father did.

  A couple hours later, everyone emerged from Lord Jayden’s private dining quarters, stuffed and significantly heavier than when they’d entered. Rhyan made a beeline for the door as soon as her father dismissed them, avoiding Andy.

  The company ambled back to their rooms and retired for the night. But an hour later, Andy stared at the painted ceiling with a wicked case of i
ndigestion. His stomach felt like someone was putting on a trapeze act. Hearing heavy breathing from Alden’s side of the thick pad, Andy tossed off the covers, found slippers, and pried open the door.

  From travels about the stronghold, Andy knew the general direction of the observatory and struck out to see if the stars might share their secrets with him as they apparently had with the lord and lady. He hiked up five or six torchlit ramps before peeking in an open workspace where a dozen centaurs sat staring at the stars through an immense window above. I must be at the top of the mountain. Several used instruments to aid their vision. Others studied star charts and made notes. The place was as rowdy as a library.

  One centaur noticed Andy standing in the doorway and motioned him forward. “I’m Marden, mathematician,” he introduced. His comment drew the attention of a pair at the next table. Rhyan’s eyes opened wide.

  “Please. Wait.” Andy held up a hand. “Tell me what you’ve seen,” Andy interrupted before the she-centaur could avert her gaze.

  “Ah, you know each other. I’ll leave you to it then,” Marden bowed out over Rhyan’s objections.

  Rhyan closed her eyes and her shoulders slumped. “Let’s talk outside where we won’t disturb everyone.” Andy followed her out a door to an open porch.

  The instant the door closed, they surrendered themselves to the darkness. A multitude of tiny white pinpricks filled the clear expanse. Only the moon, in its first quarter, added a hint of transparency. They moved to the rail and allowed the stillness to have sway for several minutes as they gazed at the wonder before them.

  “This is where I come when I need to think. The vastness helps me put things in perspective. Did you know that the light we see today may be from something that no longer exists?”

  “Really?”

  The she-centaur nodded. “That’s how huge this is.”

  They stood silently for another moment, reverencing. At length, Rhyan rubbed her forearm. “I’m sorry about how I behaved at dinner.” She paused as if collecting her thoughts. “You and me, we’re kind of in the same spot.”

  Andy turned toward her.

  “You’re the eldest child of the ruler,” she explained.

  “And?”

  “And I can’t imagine being in your position.” Her chin trembled as the words came out.

  “My position?”

  “They say I have star sight. Happens once every few generations. I’ve always loved looking at the stars and hearing their tales. What I didn’t realize until a few years ago is that the stars tell me things they don’t tell everyone. At least that’s what my teachers say.”

  Andy’s stomach tightened. “And what have they told you?”

  Rhyan turned and pointed. “Do you see that triangle of stars above the horizon?”

  “The triangle? Yeah, I think so.”

  “Do you see the stars within that triangle?”

  Andy squinted. “Yeah.”

  “And how about what looks like a cauldron right near there? Can you see that?”

  Looks like the Little Dipper.

  “The first triangle of stars is a group of three people: two men and one woman.”

  “They’re human?”

  Rhyan nodded. “The other, smaller set is another group of three humans—two boys and a girl.”

  “Okay.”

  Rhyan paused and took a steadying breath. “The stars are telling me…they’re telling me the younger trio will cut off the older at the cauldron.”

  Andy’s voice quaked as he asked, “And what do you think that means?”

  Rhyan shuffled her hoofs. “I believe the older trio is your parents along with the wizard. You and your friends are the younger.”

  Andy bowed his head.

  “I’m really sorry.” She stepped toward him and reached out to comfort.

  Andy held up a hand. “It’s not your fault. You’re right.”

  Rhyan tilted her head.

  “When I break the curse, my parents and Mermin will die. I’ve known it for quite a while now.”

  “But it doesn’t make it any easier,” she affirmed.

  Andy caught her eyes. “No, it doesn’t.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  Andy nodded.

  “You’re handling this far better than I would be.”

  “I’m not actually. I just cover it well.”

  Rhyan bit her lip and looked down.

  “There’s more, isn’t there?”

  She ran a jerky hand through her long copper locks and took a deep breath. “Yes, there’s another story the stars are telling me. None of my colleagues have mentioned it.”

  She bit her lip again and caught Andy’s piercing gaze. Andy turned and followed her pointing finger.

  “If you find the tip of the moon’s quarter and follow it down, can you see that cluster of stars below?”

  Andy found a dozen stars that looked like they belonged together. “Those five stars look like a stick figure. The other seven kinda look like another guy, but he’s lying down.”

  “You’re a Chosen One, aren’t you?”

  Andy furrowed his brow but nodded.

  Rhyan continued, “The Chosen One will fall at the hand of the enemy.”

  Their eyes met.

  “I didn’t want to tell you.”

  “No. That can’t be.” Dissonant thoughts exploded in Andy’s mind.

  “You’ve no idea how much I want to be wrong.” She shook her head. “They say star sight is a gift, but it’s times like this I wish I didn’t have it.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Isn’t that enough?”

  “Plenty, but is that everything?”

  Rhyan nodded. “Sometimes the stars don’t reveal the complete story—for better or worse.”

  Andy’s stomach twisted. There had to be more…

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Family Time

  Andy woke the next morning with a single thought: This may be my last day with them. He chose to block out Rhyan’s second tale, at least for today.

  He brushed his teeth and combed his hair as a light knock at the door drew his attention.

  “Good morning, Prince Andrew,” Sergeant Fulk greeted, handing over the bundle of clean clothes that had been returned as promised.

  Andy breathed in the fresh scent. They smell like when Mom does wash. Lingering only a moment, he threw them on as Alden continued sleeping, then headed out their door.

  “Pulled guard duty, huh?” Andy asked Fulk as he closed the door behind him.

  The wiry soldier smiled then nodded down the hall at his companion. “I’m in good company.”

  Sergeant Gavin, his face no longer dotted with pink spots, stood to one side of the royal chamber’s door.

  “You’re up early,” Mom greeted after drawing Andy into a hug. She wore a robe and yawned as she let him in.

  “Son.” Father still lay on the thick pad. Andy fell into his embrace. Andy didn’t have to explain himself, not after the revelations at last night’s dinner. It seemed the three were on the same unspoken page.

  Andy overheard Father instruct Gavin, “I’d like to spend the day alone with my family.”

  “Of course, Majesty.”

  After an intimate but elaborate breakfast served in the royal suite, the trio ventured out and bumped into Malcolm. They exchanged pleasantries and the centaur offered, “Lorica’s working on her glass blowing, so I’m free for the morning. I’d be happy to show you around.”

  “Glass blowing? Do you suppose she’d mind if we watched?” Mom enthused. “I’m always so amazed at what can be done with glass.”

  Father and Andy smiled at her.

  “Not at all.” Malcolm puffed out his chest and directed them down a ramp.

  They spent much of that day in similar pursuits. After glass blowing, they ventured into the foundry and watched an artisan hammer and weld an elaborate metal sculpture. Then they returned to the painting and sculpture studio they’d seen yesterday.
None of them much cared what the activity was as long as they could be together and enjoy each other’s company.

  The sun cast long shadows faster than they anticipated, and their companions joined them in the royal suite for a quiet dinner—emphasis on quiet. No one uttered a word. Andy found it hard to choke much down.

  Hannah put a hand to her heart as she rose from the meal. “The emotions in this room—they’re so strong. I feel like I’m drowning.” Hannah was an empath, so her confession didn’t surprise Andy. But with his own emotional angst he didn’t have the capacity to lend support.

  Alden held her hand, his pained expression speaking volumes.

  “Do you want to stay back?” Andy offered.

  Hannah closed her eyes and shook her head. “I’ll be there for you, Andy.”

  Several minutes later, Twyford and Royston knocked. Andy and the others shouldered their packs and followed them back to the domed atrium where they had first caught sight of the unspeakably beautiful building. Lord Jayden and Lady Elmina, along with Chieftain Cedrica, Jax, Houston, and the rest of their original escort, waited for them.

  Andy joined Father next to their hosts at the head of the company. They passed under the beautiful sloping roof, which Andy found hard to appreciate at the moment. Father put an arm around him and pulled him close. Andy thought he saw tears in Father’s eyes, and he squeezed his hand.

  Jayden reached for Elmina’s hand and they exchanged a look. They understand what’s about to happen will have far-reaching consequences, even if they don’t understand what will happen to… Andy refused to finish the thought. His stomach twisted and he squeezed Father’s hand again, drawing a look.

  The fog cast its usual blanket of haze as they emerged into the fading light. But the ground was dry, making their descent less perilous than their ascent had been. They skirted the girth of the mountain for quite a ways as it sloped. Andy checked the sky but detected no unwelcome silhouettes flying above.

  Raucous brayings of inebriated centaurs echoed across the mountain in the stillness of the evening.