Walt had just finished telling Sophia how he managed to end up at Kreedy’s when the door flew open, making Kreedy and Walt jump as Mylon came barging in with two injured men in tow. Sophia, however, didn’t respond, having sensed him arriving a little while ago. “And who might you be?” Kreedy was about to say until he noticed that they were elves. It had been a long time since elves visited this world. Kreedy’s excitement immediately replaced the fear and apprehension he felt. “Something really worth writing about,” he thought to himself. Sophia had explained a little of the fight they had with the huge Woose-demon: that alone was a tale to tell. But now here… in his own kitchen, he had not one, but three elves. “Mylon… this is Kreedy,” Sophia said, in an almost disinterested manner. Kreedy’s eyes lit up on hearing his name. Mylon smiled and nodded and then looked over to Walt. “I thought we’d seen the last of you,” he joked, but Walt wasn’t that sure whether he was joking or not, so gave a nervous, toothless grin and then looked away.
“Good to meet you, Kreedy,” Mylon said cheerfully, holding out his hand. “Only sorry it couldn’t be under better circumstances.” With both hands, Kreedy took his and shook it vigorously. “Oh… I’m so pleased to meet you… so pleased,” he said, grinning from ear to ear. Being an elf and of short stature, Mylon had to look up at Kreedy. He had always thought humans to be a large, clumsy species, but this man had to be the strangest individual he’d ever seen.
A short while afterwards, the injuries of the two troopers had been carefully washed and dressed. Kreedy had managed to find the kettle from out of all the chaos and made all his guests a welcome hot drink. Alk and Poppy had arrived some time after Mylon. Unfortunately Alk had to send the four unharmed troopers back out to find Lilly and other injured troopers. Lilly had to be practically carried back, her leg so bad that she couldn’t bear weight on it. Poppy was so relieved to see her friend safe and was sitting on the floor with her arm around her. Sophia had done all she could to treat Lilly’s leg, but the kind of injury she had needed time to heal. However, time wasn’t on their side: since Henry and her sister disappeared into the underworld they’d had little time to think, let alone discuss what their next move was to be.
With drinks in hand and now sitting around the old table, they sat looking down into their hot tea when Alk decided that he had been quiet long enough and was the first to ask, in his usual blunt manner, “Well… what’s next?” Mylon smiled. He had always looked up to Alk, almost as a father figure. He was always a strong presence in a room and would never admit defeat, regardless of any dangers they may have to face. In his eyes, there was always a way.
“What is there to do?” Mylon replied. “If we go running around in the woodland like headless ground wromps… we’ll more than likely all end up with our breathing rights revoked… There’s no saying how many of those things are out there.” For a moment, the room went quiet. Alk shifted uncomfortably in his seat, whilst Sophia sat looking absent-mindedly out of the window. It was now late afternoon and the sun was low in the sky, bathing the whole clearing around Kreedy’s home in a soft, warm light. Her mind, however, was not on the beauty outside or what was being said around the table. Her thoughts were on Hazel; she needed to know what had happened to her and her nephew.
Unfortunately, she didn’t possess the skills to do so, but she did know of a way. Acca the old oak could, if it wished, connect her to the void. That way she would be able to at least guide them through their ordeal. “What say you, my lady?” Mylon asked, interrupting her thoughts. She didn’t answer right away, taking a little time to consider her answer. “I need to go to the old oak,” she said finally. Alk looked at Mylon and shrugged his shoulders. “We can do no good here… I agree with Mylon… if we run around aimlessly we could all get killed… or even worse…You’ve seen that thing out there… it’s got to stop,” she continued. “The fight isn’t here… it’s with my sister and my nephew… In the void, only they can make a difference.”
She paused to look around the table: what a ragtag bunch they had turned out to be, all tired, battered and bleeding. But they were all still ready to lay down their lives for the cause. However, she wasn’t willing to allow that. If she could prevent any more harm coming to them… she would. She was determined to see that every person in the room would get home safely: they deserved it. They had all, even Walt, made her feel proud to associate with them.
Sophia sat forward, cleared her throat and said, “The old tree has the ability to transport minds through time and space.” She looked around the room: all eyes were now on her. “If… and only if… the tree agrees to communicate with me, perhaps I could find Henry and my sister.” She paused. “I would be in no physical danger but I would be able to help them.” Again the room went quiet. Mylon looked around and then back to Sophia and said, “It seems that we have a plan.” Alk nodded in agreement. “Who do you suggest should go…? I’m not allowing you to go alone.” Sophia smiled. “I know,” she said, and for a short moment both kept eye contact, which was noticed by all in the room, including Poppy, who looked away in anger. Alk turned to Kreedy and shrugged his shoulders again. He had never seen Mylon look at a woman that way before.
Realising that they were being watched, Mylon sat bolt upright and cleared his throat. “Right… that’s settled… we go with you.” Sophia smiled again, noting his embarrassment. “Just you,” she replied. Alk stood up, knocking the table as he did. “Not without me, he doesn’t… He goes nowhere without me.” Then Poppy stood up. “Or me,” she said, a little red-faced. Mylon looked around the room once more. “That settles it… when do you want to leave?” Sophia pushed back her chair and stood up to adjust her dress. “If we leave now… we should reach the old oak by morning,” she said. “That’s if we’re lucky enough not to run into one of those creatures again!” Alk bellowed. Sophia walked around the table and placed a hand on Alk’s shoulder. “If we do… we do not fight… we merely go around it.” Alk glanced over to Mylon. “You heard the lady… let’s get to it.”
Unbeknown to Sophia and the others, Bree had the same idea and had already reached the clearing around the large oak. Having met up earlier, Bert and Ben decided that the right thing to do was to join her. They could do nothing for Henry and his mother, but they could at least offer Bree their protection. Bree was delighted when they offered to go with her, especially now that the night was drawing in. It didn’t take long before the three reached the clearing around the old oak. They all stopped at the edge of the tree line, taking a moment to just stare up through the branches of the old oak, watching as the brilliance of the nightly spectacle played out above them. The night sky was, as usual, full of fireflies and multicoloured dancing nymphs. The air was still and sweet, and for a brief moment all felt right with the world. The tree stood tall, firm and strong as its branches reached out to the night sky.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Still gazing up at the wonders before her, Bree eventually broke the silence. “Do you think they are still alive?” she said, almost in a whisper so not to disturb the tranquillity of the night. Ben glanced up at Bert, hoping that he would answer; but instead of replying, Bert continued to look up at sky, also enjoying the moment. However, Ben, being Ben, decided that he had been quiet long enough and had enough of watching the stupid nymphs. He had seen them thousands of times over his lifetime and could never see the sense in wasting good sleeping time by watching them the way Bert did – but each to their own. “I believe they are,” Ben answered, “but for how long is anybody’s guess.” He paused for a second. “As long as the shadow master thinks it has a chance of luring young Henry over to the darkness… It will keep him alive … it hasn’t the strength or the skill to be any match for the Wyvern… but the darkness is cunning… and very, very clever and would find other methods to get its own way.”
He paused to scratch behind his ear. Bree stood patiently waiting for him to continue. Now content that he had satisfied his itch, he looked back to Bree. “I’ll be
straight with you, girl… I didn’t think much of the lad at first… but he has proven me wrong on more than one occasion.” Ben paused again and looked up at Bert. “I’m sure Bert would agree that the boy has great courage, but more importantly… we believe him to be the strongest host… ever… But that alone won’t keep him alive… He needs to have faith… not just in the Wyvern… or its powers, but in himself… And sadly, my dear girl… that… I fear is something he lacks.”
The air was cool and refreshing and the night felt calm and almost tranquil, a total contrast to how Bree was feeling inside. Unsure of what to do next, her mind raced from one thought to the next. However, one thought did keep coming back to her time and again, and that was that she had to go to the tree and ask it for help. It was as if the tree was calling out to her. Bree looked down to the base of the tree, remembering the moment she first met her dear, sweet Henry. It seemed almost a lifetime ago, but in reality it had been just a few days. “So much has changed,” she thought to herself. Although she was now resigned to the fact that her Henry would never be the same sweet boy she had fell in love with, she couldn’t help feeling sad for the innocence that he had lost. That said, her love for him was unquestionable: nothing in this world or the next would ever change that.
Without saying any more, she slowly walked over to the base of the large oak, leaving Bert and Ben watching her. She hesitated for a moment and then placed her hands on its gnarled bark, closed her eyes and with her head lowered willed the tree to respond to her call. Minutes went by and still the tree refused to answer her. Then suddenly she felt a hand on hers. She opened her eyes to see that Bert had joined her. He gave her a quick but reassuring smile, and then with one large hand on hers and the other on the tree, he closed his eyes.
To Bree it seemed like forever. While she and Bert waited for the tree to answer their call, both leant against the oak, asking it… pleading for Acca to respond to them. Then, very softly at first, the tree started to vibrate. The flying nymphs and fireflies abruptly disappeared into the trees surrounding the clearing. Now feeling that Acca was at last responding, Bree squeezed her eyes tighter, and with newfound determination, concentrated harder to communicate with it. Then her hands started to feel as though they were slowly sinking into the tree.
Bert reassuringly squeezed her hand and whispered to her to keep her eyes closed until Acca told her otherwise. Gradually she sank deeper and deeper into the tree. At first, she felt panic rage up inside her, but with Bert’s large, reassuring hand holding her, he helped her fight through it. “Open your eyes, little one,” a deep, booming voice commanded. Bree did as she was asked and gingerly opened her eyes but squinted at the bright sunlight. To her surprise, she was standing in the middle of the most beautiful meadow she had ever seen, and on a wonderful, warm summer’s day. The meadow was full of colourful flowers and uncountable numbers of buzzing, flying insects.
She took a deep breath of its sweet air as the warm summer breeze caressed her face. “I know why you are here, girl,” the voice said again, Bree looked around her, but could see only the countryside that surrounded her and no sign of where the voice was coming from. “I am everywhere, little one … but you’ll not find me by looking,” Acca said, as if reading her mind. “Girl… you come to me in hope… hope of finding and helping the one you love,” the voice stated. Bree looked around again. Panic welled up inside her as she stood alone in the middle of a meadow that reached as far as her eyes could see. Bert, however, was nowhere to be seen. She took a few deep breaths to try and calm herself down a little, telling herself that this wasn’t real, and although she couldn’t see him, she could still feel the reassuring touch of Bert’s hand on hers.
“I will take you to him, little one… but this is not the time.” Acca paused, Bree was about to ask why, but Acca continued by saying, “Patience little one… you will have to wait for another to join you.” Bree felt outraged: why should she wait? Henry was in danger and needed help now… “But he needs me!” she shouted. The ground suddenly tremored beneath her feet, forcing Bree to sit down on the dry grass before she fell down. “You will wait,” the voice boomed, then, as suddenly as they had started, the tremors stopped. “Go now… I will answer your call when you return with another.” Bree was about to ask who the other person was, but was interrupted again. “Now stand, little one.” Bree did as she was instructed. “Close your eyes.” Again Bree did as she was told.
“Is you alright, girl?” Bert asked as he released her hand. She didn’t respond to him. “Bree,” he said, sounding concerned. She opened her eyes to find herself back in the clearing. Now feeling the wintery chill of the night air, she wrapped her hands around herself in a vain attempt to ward off the chill. Bert unfortunately had no jacket to offer her, wearing only an open shirt and dungarees. He placed a large hand on her shoulder. “Come, sit over ere for a bit,” he said as he escorted Bree to the edge of the clearing. “Ere… sit down.” He showed her a moss-covered fallen tree to sit on. Bree did as she was told and sat down on the soft but damp moss. She looked a little dazed as she stared across the clearing towards the tree.
In the meantime, Ben had found himself a nice, dry spot at the base of a tree and had made himself comfortable, having no intention of being involved in the girl or the old tree any more than was necessary. As far as he was concerned, Bert and he had done what they had promised her, and that was to ensure the girl got here safely: so that was that as far as he was concerned. Bert shot Ben a quick glance, expecting him to at least get up and show some interest in what Acca had to say. But Ben ignored him and closed his eyes. Bert wasn’t surprised by Ben’s lack of interest but he was a little annoyed with him. Turning back to Bree, Bert could see that, if he didn’t do something to help her soon, she could go into shock. Holding her injured arm, she was shivering uncontrollably and was absent-mindedly staring up at the sky, captivated by the colourful display of the nymphs and fireflies that had returned the moment the old tree had settled.
Rubbing his hands together, Bert concentrated on summoning a small amount of his powers. Intrigued to see what Bert intended to do, Ben lifted his head to watch. Like himself, Bert had great powers but rarely used them; but when he did, it was to mend and heal, never to harm. Bree seemed totally unaware of what Bert was doing, then suddenly with a small popping sound, Bert produced a small green flame that hovered just above his opened palms. Bree suddenly sat back with surprise. “Ere, take it,” Bert said softly, holding the flame out to her. But Bree didn’t move at first: she had never seen Bert use magic before. She didn’t even know that he could and certainly had no idea what it was he was offering her. “Take it,” he said again, “it won’t urt… it’s to help ya arm and warm ya up… that’s all.”
Bree gingerly held out her hands as the small green flame floated across from Bert’s hands into hers. Immediately, she gasped with the surprising sensation the flame gave her: it wasn’t hot to the touch, just a warm and soft, almost comforting sensation. The power of the flame slowly spread up her arms and then through her entire body, warming and relaxing her. Bree looked up at Bert and gave him a smile. “You just sit there a mo… Ben and me has something we got to do.” He moved away a little, turned back and said, “Don’t move, mind… we’ll be back in a tick.” With that, he walked over to Ben, whispered something to him, and waited as Ben reluctantly got up and followed him into the trees.
Bree had no idea of time or how long she had been sitting enjoying the sensation of the green flame. She watched as Bert and Ben walked off and usually it would have bothered her, being left alone with such danger around, but the comforting, warm feeling that the green flame gave her relaxed her so much that she didn’t care. She had also stopped shivering and the pain in her arm had eased. She watched as the little flame danced in the palm of her hand. Almost hypnotised by it, she couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this good.
Suddenly she noticed a movement from the corner of her eye. She turned to see what it was,
only to see Ben trotting back into the clearing. Bree was about to ask where he had been when Sophia appeared, followed by Bert and Mylon and then Poppy and Alk moaning to himself as he struggled to carry a large, heavy-looking sword over his shoulder. Bree stood up, still with the green flame in her hand. “My lady,” she said, surprised. Sophia smiled. “You look dreadful, my dear,” she said as she took Bree’s arm and sat her back down. Mylon gave her one of his usual smiles and a quick wink. “Good to see you safe,” he said. “We’ve wondered where you had run off to in such a hurry,” he joked. However, he had been genuinely concerned for her safety but would never have shown it or ever admit it to anyone.
Still sitting holding the little green flame, Bree smiled back. “It’s good to see all of you.” Bert lumbered over. “Ere… I’ll take that from ya now,” he said as he approached. “You should be feeling much better now.” He placed his hands over the green flame and it immediately disappeared, leaving Bree to feel the chill of the night air once more. “Bert tells me that you’ve spoken with the old oak,” Sophia said softly as she sat down next to Bree and placed a hand on hers. “And he also tells me that Acca told you that you had to return… but this time with another.” She paused and gently placed her hand on Bree’s cheek for her to turn to face her. “I’m that other person,” she said, smiling. “It seems that you and I have had the same idea.” She paused. “Perhaps Acca led us here… Who knows what means the old oak has to communicate with us… I have never been able to fully understand it.” She paused again to glance over to the tree. “Acca is for sure a mystery.” She turned to face Bree again. “But there is one thing that I’m sure of… and that is that your Henry and my sister will need our help if they are to get through this ordeal…You and me, dear… together.” Bree didn’t respond at first, she just studied Sophia’s face for a second, and, with a resigned look on her own face, nodded.
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