by W. C. Peever
“Charlie! Are you up yet? Celli just arrived! Charlie?”
The bedroom door swung open and Bailey burst in. Joelle’s tail fluffed in alarm. “Wake up, Charlie. I’m sorry, Joelle, I didn’t know you were here.”
“In the future, you should knock. Alarming a werecat who is already on edge is not good for your health. Not to mention it hurts when my tail hairs stand on end like this. It takes forever for me to get them to return to normal.” She began to lick her tail back into submission.
“What time is it?” asked Charlie awakening from his thoughts.
“Almost six in the morning. You haven’t packed yet and your mother already has breakfast on the table.”
“Six in the morning?” he said with alarm. “Why didn’t you wake me up earlier? We need to be at the castle in a couple of hours.”
Bailey harrumphed loudly. “Well, I suggest that you get started. Do you need help?”
“No, go eat. I’ll be down in a few.” Bailey was downstairs before he’d finished speaking. Charlie rubbed his eyes and looked around. “Um, Joelle ,would you mind giving a hand?”
“I think not,” Joelle replied licking her lips as she walked to the door. “But do hurry; you are quite right about your trials.”
Charlie sighed and began stuffing the piles of clothes he and his mother had carefully laid out for him the night before into a large duffel bag. It took him a full twenty minutes. Once finished, he walked over to a corner of his room, pried up a floor board, and pulled out a rusty, tin, coffee can filled with money. He’d been saving for a new bike, but circumstances had changed. He hurriedly stuffed the cash into the pocket of his jeans and longingly surveyed his room a final time. Satisfied, he threw the bag over his shoulder and tromped downstairs to join the others for breakfast.
Everyone was finished eating and sipping coffee by the time Charlie arrived. His mother had set aside a plate for him, away from Bailey’s reach. He sat down to a kiss on the cheek from his mother, a steaming mug of hot chocolate, and a plate full of over-easy eggs, bacon, sausage, and muffins.
“They call this a British breakfast in Yorkshire, where I grew up,,” said Celli. “My mother called it a heart attack on a platter, but always ate her share.” Celli helped Mrs. Burrows clear the table and refresh the coffee cups.
Marley stood up, stretched and spoke. “Well, if we’re going to make our flight, we need to leave.” A car horn sounded outside. “And there’s the cab. All set then, Charlie?” Charlie nodded. “Then off we go. Thank you for your hospitality, ladies. Your cooking has no rival.” Marley smiled gently and ushered all of his charges outside.
“Where’s the cab?” Charlie asked puzzled.
“There isn’t one. I was just making it a bit easier for Celli to convince your parents’ in their minds that you are in fact leaving for the airport. Children and kitty cats first,” he said. Joelle glared at him as she pranced by. “Did you really sleep at the foot of Charlie’s bed, like a housecat?” Marley asked cheekily as Joelle took her place.
“We all have our little secrets, Marley, and if you tell anyone, I shall be forced to recount some tales of my own about your first night in the castle. For instance, how you…”
“Well it’s time to be off, then,” Marley interjected. “No use waiting around for another attack! Simon, take their hands.” They QILTed back to the Headmaster’s office instantaneously.
“Excellent timing,” said Grayson, as if they hadn’t suddenly appeared with a loud pop. “I am heading down to the Coliseum to meet the council now, and will take you down there myself. You two, head to the spectators’ area. See if you can pick up some pointers from your friend.” He nodded at Mick and Bailey, who promptly left then turned back to Charlie. “Before we go there is something that we need to speak about, Charlie.” The werecat at Charlie’s feet nodded, and the three of them went into the study.
“So you met Vali?” Grayson half asked, half stated. Charlie nodded.
“And he mentioned that you would be our new World Jumper.” Again, Charlie nodded. “If this proves to be the case, you will have obligations that no one else can truly comprehend. Many members of the Order will tell you that you are special, that you are privileged. The truth is far more complicated. That is, if you are indeed the new Jumper.
“Can you understand what this means?” Charlie nodded, though he wasn’t at all sure he did. Grayson continued. “You may be able to do things like find and save your father. If you are indeed a Jumper, the council will descend upon you. They will ask you to do things that you are not ready to do. Most likely they will try and use your ability to collect Merlin’s crystals. You are not ready for such a task. Charlie listen to me: You are not ready. Now, I believe that Joelle has something for you.”
Find and save your father… Long repressed emotions began to stir within Charlie’s mind.
Joelle turned towards Charlie and spoke. “Your father entrusted me with this letter, should it happen that you followed in his footsteps. Although it is not yet confirmed that you are the Jumper, your father was absolutely certain you would be, so much so that he asked me to give you this letter before your trial.” She gave a nod to the Headmaster, who handed the letter to Charlie.
“I’ll leave you to your privacy, Charlie. Come get us when you are ready,” Grayson said, collecting Joelle in his arms and exiting the room.
Charlie shivered. His father had left him a message. That meant that his father knew all along that he wouldn’t be coming back. He’d decided long ago that some stupid mission was more important than his family. So, why should Charlie read his letter now? Why should he care at all what this deserter had to say?
Charlie threw the letter unopened on the desk and went to a grand bay view window that overlooked the courtyard. Clean, undisturbed snow lay across the ruins of the old courtyard of Merlin, where his tower had once stood. Jagged memories rolled around his mind, until finally his mother’s words echoed inside him. There were always pieces of our life that seemed odd. He loved you so much, Charlie. When you were born he cried. That was the one and only time I saw him shed a tear.
Charlie reluctantly turned back towards the desk and stared at the envelope laying there, inviting him to unlock the secrets of his past. Hesitantly, he picked up the yellowed envelope and broke the seal:
My Son,
If you are anything like me, which I do expect you are, it took a lot of courage to overcome your feelings and read this. You have every right to be angry with me.
I left you and your mother with very little, to pursue a cause that neither of you could have understood at the time. I still remember the last night I saw you. I hope your mother had the crack under the window fixed.
Charlie, I do not have much time. I’ve managed to break through Vali’s mind control, and if I do not leave soon with all that I know…our world may be lost… I cannot fail. The consequences would be unimaginable. I just hope I am able to put Merlin’s crystal back together before I am forced to disappear.
There is so much to tell you. I am not dead. I have a plan to make sure I can never be used by the Vanari again. I’m sending myself into a transdimensional rift. I’ll be frozen in time, in exactly the state in which I entered. I am alive, and eventually, you will learn enough to free me from this prison. Until then, trust Grayson and Joelle. They will lead you down the right path. Good luck my son. Always listen to your heart.
Your Dad
Charlie slumped down in the leather arm chair behind Grayson’s desk, exhausted. A knock on the door snapped Charlie out of reverie. “Come in,” he said robotically.
The door creaked open, and the Headmaster still carrying the werecat entered. Grayson had a knowing smile on his face, and his blue eyes sparkled. “Your father was a good man. Have you had enough time to digest the contents of the letter, my boy?” Charlie nodded. “Very good, then we should proceed.” The three of them walked together to the coliseum.
Charlie had not had time to explore, or even
wander around the campus since he arrived, yet once there he could hardly believe that he had missed this massive structure.
The Greek inspired structure was larger than four football fields placed end to end and side to side, and was just as impressive as the Roman Coliseum must have been in its time. Gray lion statues stood vigil over twelve colossal entrances. The lions were crafted in a manner that Charlie had never seen before, such that they looked alive, following each person that entered the gates with wild eyes.
Charlie had an feeling that they might come to life, should trouble arise. He thought he heard thunder, but the bright cloudless blue sky overhead told a different story. As they drew closer, he realized that it was not thunder but the sound of thousands of voices, roaring together.
“How many people are in there, Professor?” asked Charlie.
“Well over eight thousand, I’d guess. The entire student body, the council, members from the Order, teachers and friends of the participants have all come. After all, it is the most exciting and important event of the year.
This is where we leave you. Keep following the path. A council member will greet you and give you your event robes. Good luck, my boy.” Joelle and Grayson left Charlie to walk the last steps to the coliseum alone.
As he approached, a nervous man in a thick black coat with black velvet lapels and a brush-like mustache approached him. “Mister Burrows, I presume. Here are your apprentice robes. You may change in here. Please listen carefully to the master of ceremonies as he explains the trials. Since you will be the first to enter the coliseum today he will finish his opening speech and promptly introduce you.”
The diminutive man hurriedly pushed Charlie into a small, almost unnoticeable changing area sculpted out of the passageway. It was a tiny space, more like a broom closet than a room, but a small window at the back had an excellent view of the stage. Charlie threw on the coarse brown robe and stepped over to the window. His heart immediately began to race. The coliseum was so large he couldn’t see the other side. Bleacher seats stretched up to the ceiling, which he could only barely make out in the glare of the mounted lights. It must be over two hundred feet high, and the seats were slowly moving in a grand circle around the stage. He had never seen anything so overwhelming in his life, and suddenly grasped why Mick had been so anxious.
The lights grew brighter and a man wearing brilliant red and black robes that billowed behind him walked onto the center stage.
“Friends, neighbors, and visitors, I bid thee welcome to the Trials of Tribulation. Once a year the Manserian gather together to welcome the newest and youngest members of our Order into the fold.” The crowd clapped excitedly. “One hundred and twenty-seven new members will be joining us this day, which begs the question: What abilities will they have? Will they be Guardians of the Light?” An entire section of the audience stood up, stamping their feet and yelling. “Will they be Elementalists?” Another section erupted in flame. Everyone was seated according to their given ability, giving the entire event a feeling of sports rivalry. “Or perhaps Time-shifters, Telecons, Shape-shifters, Influencearians, Seers, or even QILTers!” Each section erupted in cheers as their group’s name was called. The speaker signaled for silence and then continued in a whisper. “We may even find ourselves in the presence of a Jumper!” The entire coliseum shook with thunderous applause and cat-calls.
“No matter what abilities are unveiled today we are in for a treat. May the Gods bless our merriments and return to us soon. Without further procrastination, I give you The Oracle!” The crowd fell silent and the lights went out, except one spotlight in the center of the stage. Four men in black robes carried a wide white pillar. On its top floated a glowing blue crystal the size of a beach ball.
The master of ceremonies continued. “My young friends,” he turned towards the seating area where the new members were sitting. “Each of you, by being here, has begun a year-long competition that begins with what you discover about yourself today. It will be a test of strength, friendship, and wisdom, and you must each conquer your deepest fears to win the prize. We have learned that somewhere on the castle grounds lies the sword Arthur used to defend England before the fall. Your task is to find Excalibur.” The crowd roared its approval.
“Yes,” the announcer continued, “as amazing as it sounds, the sword of power will once again be among us! But one word of warning – the protections around the sword will be mighty and we here are mere mortals. Be cautious.” He paused for effect.
“Our scholars were able to ascertain the approximate location of the sword, and can offer this clue: ‘According to his virtue let us use him, with all respect and rites of burial.’” Students and visitors alike looked at each other in bewilderment. “That’s it! Good hunting. Now, to the main event,” and with that he pointed towards the closet where Charlie was waiting. “Let our first contestant come forth.”
The Master of Ceremonies backed off the stage and the spotlight wicked to where Charlie’s passageway entered the stage. The now disembodied voice of the announcer boomed and echoed through the speakers. “Our first contestant: Charles Burrows.”
Silence hung in the air like a heavy fog and Charlie found it hard to breathe as he stepped into the spotlight. A deafening roar erupted from the crowd, and just as quickly fell silent when a blue glow began to emanate from the Oracle. The crystal was now floating four feet off the pedestal. Charlie took a step back, wondering if he should retreat back to the safety of the passage when the Oracle spoke to him.
“Charlie Burrows, welcome. I have been expecting you for some time. It pleases me that we can finally speak to each other.” Charlie startled, realized he wasn’t hearing with his ears, but in his mind, as if he were dreaming.
“Can you hear what I am thinking?” Charlie wondered.
“Yes, of course I can. You are very intelligent to discover this. Most new recruits try speaking to me verbally. Whether you realize it or not, you have some questions for me. I cannot answer them now, however, as we have some business to take care of. You, Charlie, are a Transdimensional Jumper. I felt it from afar the day you turned twelve. You have the ability to rescue your father. You have the key ability to ensure that Order does not fall to the Vanari. With this special ability you inherit many responsibilities for one so young. Some of them you already know; others you will come to realize in time.”
” How do you know all of this? I mean, just by…”
“This is not the time for that discussion. Having an ability does not necessarily mean that you can harness and use it, so we need to be sure. Two tasks I ask of you: The first is to choose the correct focus object for your ability. The second is to use it.” It was then that Charlie noticed a long rectangular table to his right, covered with hundreds of objects on it. “You must choose the correct object. If the Gods indeed meant you to wield the ability of a Manserian you should be able to locate your focus object. Go, Charlie. You will feel drawn to it.”
Charlie took a breath and headed over to the table. There were hundreds of knives, staffs, necklaces, watches and rings. He knew from his earlier conversation with Joelle that his father’s object had been a ring, and felt assured from his father’s letter that it would be the same for him, but the table held at least forty rings. How was he to know which was the correct one? Okay. He thought. Okay. I need to feel the object call to me. One object should draw me to it. Charlie closed his eyes and ran his hands over one after another cold, metallic ring. Nothing called to him. He continued to moving his fingers over the metal rings and then suddenly stopped. One ring felt warm, as if it had been worn by someone else just moments before. Maybe this is what the Oracle meant. Charlie picked up the ring and placed it on his finger.
The reaction was instantaneous. Charlie felt pushed to his knees by an invisible force so powerful that it was several seconds before he could move or breathe. The world around him seemed to be spinning. Colorful sparks were encircling him, like a rainbow. Colors streamed from the ring into th
e circle around him and then back into the ring. Then a stream of blue and green stars irrupted from the center of the crystal embedded in the ring and spiraled to the ceiling. It spun there, gaining momentum, until it suddenly shot back down into Charlie’s chest. Charlie was lifted from his knees high into the air. All around him he could hear the screams of excitement from the astonished viewers. The light entered his body warming him to the core, and slowly he drifted back down to the ground.
Pushing himself back onto his feet, he felt light headed, like he had woken from a deep sleep.
“Well chosen, Jumper,” said the Oracle. “We must see if you can use it. The art of using a focus object is complex and takes years to fully master, but the concept is reasonably easy to grasp. What is your understanding of dimensions?”
Charlie recalled the night he’d met Joelle, and the conversation they’d had. It’s got something to do with us making an important decision, ” he thought.
“Correct. Whenever your kind makes a collective decision it creates a tear in the fabric of time. All of these tears stem from a single event: when the Vanari exiled themselves from the Order in the very beginning. One dimension exists where the Vanari were never exiled and I never happened, since there were no Vanari to make me what I am. I exist in all other dimensions, however, and I can see all that happens in my vicinity in each dimension at once. What I am going to ask you to do is a bit self-serving. A cloth has been draped over me in one reality, obscuring my sight. Not an ordinary cloth, but one made from the God Thor’s rucksack. The rucksack was made by his wife to protect and conceal Thor’s hammer. Once the hammer was inside the sack it became invisible. Those same properties obscure my seeing powers in that one other dimension. I do not expect that you will be able to remove the cloth. However you will be able to communicate with my other self once you are there. I would like you to travel to this dimension and find out why I was covered.
“Getting there is crucial. You must pre-set the amount of time you wish to remain in the alternative dimension. The large numbers along the side of your ring represent hours and the small numbers minutes. Turn the center dial to one minute.”
