by Cameo Renae
Anna laughed to herself. Not a magnet for me, she thought.
“What the heck are you talking about?” Will questioned.
Anna gasped, her cheeks flooded with heat. “Get out of my head!” she snapped, her eyes glaring at him, arms folded across her chest.
“It’s not my fault.” Will laughed out loud.
Henry and Tobin stopped and stared at them, clearly befuddled by their wordless conversation.
“Well now, dat’s interestin’,” Tobin mumbled, glancing from Will to Anna and back again. “Looks like ya two have da gift.”
“What gift?” Anna questioned.
Tobin gave her a crooked grin. “Oh, I tink ya know exactly what I’m talkin’ ‘bout,” he noted, tapping the side of his temple. “Da voices in yer heads.”
“How would you know?” Will asked.
“Yer mudder and her brudder shared da same gift,” he answered.
Anna inhaled sharply, hearing this information for the first time. They had a relative they knew nothing about. “She has a brother?”
“Had, child. He was killed long ago.”
“Oh,” she breathed, her heart constricting with pain. “Were they twins?”
“No. He was her younger brudder.”
Anna wondered why her mother never mentioned him, or that she had telepathy. Was she able to hear her and Will’s conversations all these years? What else had she kept from them?
Henry’s eyes shifted between them. “Is it true? You guys have telekinesis?”
“No,” Will puffed. “Telekinesis is when you can move things with your mind. We have telepathy.”
Henry pressed his finger to Will’s chest. “I knew it! I knew there was something odd about you two. I just couldn’t put my finger on it.”
Anna’s eyes narrowed, glaring at Henry. “We are not odd.”
“Special then?” Henry backpedaled with an apologetic look.
Anna rolled her eyes and turned away.
“Yer mudder is with Lavinia, da Lady of da Hallowed Wood. Come now chil’ren. She’s waitin’,” Tobin interjected.
Anna couldn’t wait to see her mother again and get some answers to some very heavy questions. Her stomach twisted and turned as Tobin continued to lead them down the mountain on a small switchback trail.
“Hey, Tobin?” Anna called up ahead. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course, ya can.”
“Are you a troll?”
“Anna!” Will shot her a stern look.
Henry chuckled, quickly throwing a hand over his mouth.
“No, no,” Tobin replied shaking his head. “I’m no troll. Trolls are mean an’ ugly fellers.”
Anna giggled, then realizing he was serious, quickly bit back her smile.
“You’re so embarrassing.” Will scolded, shaking his head.
“I was asking him a question. How are we going to learn anything if we don’t ask? We’re new here, remember?”
Tobin stopped for a brief moment and twisted back to her, tapping his large hand against his chest. “I’m a Bugul.”
Anna’s brow furrowed. She’d never heard or read of a Bugul before and couldn’t recall her mother ever mentioning them in her countless stories. Maybe he was one of the little people she referred to.
“Bugul’s are common in Misteria,” Tobin added. “We dwell mostly in da grasslands an’ are excellent at farmin’. We’re one of da best lookin' folk in da land too, don’t cha think?” He glanced at Anna, giving her a wink.
Anna’s face flushed with heat and she couldn’t find any words, while Will burst into laughter. “You totally deserved that!”
“Not only dat but we Bugul’s are also great dancers,” Tobin added. He hummed a tune while twirling in a circle, moving his hands and feet in different directions. He again looked to Anna for confirmation. “Yes?”
“Oh, yes,” Anna gulped, her face bright red. “You dance very well.”
“That’ll teach you to mind your own business!” Will chuckled, rubbing it in.
“Zip it.” Anna huffed, walking away.
“We mustn't stop,” Tobin urged, waving them forward, continuing down the path.
It warmed as they descended the mountain. The setting sun cast an orangish, golden glow across the sky.
As they reached the tall trees that bordered the forest, they stopped.
“Don’t be frightened,” Tobin said. “Come. Come.”
The forest was damp and warm, making Anna feel peaceful like she was back home in their own woods. An earthy, musty smell lingered in the air, and a light mist hovered just above the ground. Rays of sunlight shone through the canopy of leaves above, peppering the forest floor.
Tobin hummed a familiar tune . . . a melody Anna had heard her mother hum daily while she tended their garden back home, and it offered a bit of comfort.
“How do you know that tune, Tobin?” Anna asked.
The Bugul looked at her and tilted his head to the side. “Tis a song of da Fairies,” he answered, then continued weaving his way through a labyrinth of massive trees.
“Fairies?” she breathed, her mind reeling at the thought.
“You don’t think Fairies are real, do you?” Will jested.
“I like Fairies. Even if they aren’t real,” Henry muttered from behind. When Anna twisted and glanced at him, he smiled and shrugged. Will groaned loudly, shaking his head. “What? They are cool.”
“Tobin?” Anna asked enthusiastically. “The Fairies . . . are they real?”
“Dem is real all right but are pesky critters,” Tobin huffed, trudging on. “Dey do have some beautiful songs.”
Will rubbed his temples and sighed.
“Are you okay?” Anna giggled.
“Just trying to wake up from this crazy dream.”
“I don’t think it’s a dream. If it is, we’re sharing it, and I have a feeling we won’t be waking from this one anytime soon.”
Will moaned, and Henry nudged his arm. “Hey, are you two doing that head talking thing again? If you are, that’s totally not cool.”
“Don’t worry,” Will slapped him on the back. “If it were something about you, I’d have no problem saying it out loud.”
“Good,” Henry exhaled. “I think.”
Further into their journey, Anna happened to look up and notice tiny balls of light materializing out of nowhere, fluttering down toward them like falling snow.
“Are those fireflies?” she asked. But the lights were much larger than the fireflies she’d seen back home.
“Nope,” Tobin answered, trudging forward.
Then, one of the lights floated down and stopped directly in front of Anna’s face. Another one touched Will’s nose.
“What the!” Will inhaled. “These are—”
“Fairies!” Anna screamed, making Tobin jump and nearly fall.
“What in da Fairy fog?” he spluttered.
“Sorry,” Anna apologized, but her wide eyes were locked, entranced by the delicate being hovering inches in front of her. She held her palm open, and the Fairy landed on it. “Oh my,” she breathed.
The tiny winged creature was around three inches tall, with iridescent wings, resembling those of a dragonfly. She was wearing a mini dress that came just above her knees and had multicolored flowers arranged in her hair like a halo. Her face was luminescent, and her skin was chocolate brown and smooth as porcelain. Pointy ears peeked from curly black hair, and her petite frame glowed in a white light.
Anna’s eyes remained fixated, completely spellbound by the perfect creature in the palm of her hand.
Another Fairy landed on Will’s shoulder, and another on Henry’s outstretched arm.
“This is unreal,” Will mumbled, staring at the red-haired, winged girl sitting cross-legged on his shoulder. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, then took off giggling.
“You’re blushing!” Anna teased.
“Am not.”
She laughed. “Yes, you are.”
> “Yeah, you totally are,” Henry added, smiling blissfully from ear to ear, while Will shot him an evil eye. “What? I told you Fairies were cool.”
Dozens of Fairies surrounded them, their laughter filled the air as they played with Anna’s hair, and snuck kisses on Will and Henry’s faces.
“Off wit ya!” Tobin hollered, running around, flailing his stubby arms back and forth, swooshing the Fairies away. “Go now! No time ta play. Dey must see da Lady. Off wit ya, now!”
“Aww, Tobin,” Anna whined. “Why do you have to send them away?”
“Dem pesky tree Fairies are always wantin’ ta play,” he huffed. “We’re close now. She’s expectin’ us.”
As they traveled deeper into the forest, Will noticed the branches above linked together, creating a canopy that constricted any light from filtering through.
Tobin paused and reached into his pocket, pulling out a smooth, perfectly round stone. Will jockeyed into position to see what he was going to do with it. Tobin rubbed the stone between his large hands and whispered, “Illume.”
The rock glowed brightly, illuminating the entire area surrounding them.
“Whoa,” Will breathed.
About a mile in, Tobin finally stopped and handed the stone to Anna.
“It’s so warm,” she whispered, cupping it carefully in her hands.
“Wait here.” Tobin took a few steps forward. He bellowed a bunch of foreign words into the thick, dark trees ahead.
A thunderous boom rocked the forest floor, making the ground quake. Unbalanced, they all fell to the ground. The trees directly in front of them parted . . . branches untwined, and a glorious light shone from a brand new opening.
As they shielded their eyes, they heard a gentle, female voice beyond. “Come,” she beckoned.
Tobin hobbled over to Will and Anna and offered to pull them up. Will stood on his own, but Anna accepted his assistance.
“Thank you,” she said kindly.
“Tis no trouble, child.” He bowed before proceeding toward the new opening.
“Do you think it’s safe to follow him?” Anna asked Will.
Will didn’t feel any immediate threat, and if this was the Hollowed Wood Tobin mentioned earlier, then their mom should be inside. “Yes,” he answered, then stepped forward with Anna at his side. Henry followed close behind.
As Will passed through the opening, his body began to tingle with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
Before them, stood an enchanted lady wearing a flowing, white gown. Her face was luminous and fair, her eyes shimmered like gold. Pointed ears peeked out from long, auburn hair, and an elegant, gold-leafed crown encircled her head.
The earth trembled again as the trees twisted back together, enclosing them inside.
They stood in a large clearing, surrounded by enormous trees. Their massive trunks were adorned with intricate carvings and magnificent spiraled staircases built into them, swirling upward toward vast dwellings within their boughs.
Will’s jaw fell open in complete awe as he witnessed the guards situated around the perimeter with dark, sharp features and pointed ears. Standing tall, they were imposing in stature. Each carried a bow made of pale wood, adorned with gold leaves and intricately carved wings. Leather quivers, filled with arrows, were fastened to their backs, and elaborate golden daggers and swords hung on their sides.
Will knew exactly who they were. They were Elven warriors, the same ones from their mom’s countless bedtime stories. They were real and standing all around him.
“Oh man,” he breathed. His legs were unsteady, and his insides twisted.
The lady before them spoke, immediately breaking his trancelike state. Her arms extended in greeting. “Welcome, children. I am Lavinia, Lady of the Hallowed Wood.”
“Hi,” Will breathed, dumbfounded. Anna and Henry mimicked him with the same awestruck looks on their faces.
“I realize you are quite shocked by the recent and sudden events, and I’ll try to explain as best I can as to why you were brought here.” Lavinia turned and lovingly gazed at Anna. Stepping forward, her fingers feathered across her soft cheek. “You are as stunning as your mother,” she said before her gaze shifted to Will. “And you look so much like your father.”
“You knew my father?” Will gasped. It was the first time he’d heard anyone, other than his mother, mention him.
“Don’t be fallin’ down now,” Tobin said, grabbing hold of his arm to steady him.
Lavinia took a step toward him. “Yes, William. I knew your father well.”
Henry cleared his throat, catching her attention.
“And who is this?” Lavinia’s eyes narrowed, then suspiciously shifted to Tobin.
“Your Ladiness, he’s a friend of da chil’ren, who happened ta jump into da portal as it was closin’. I had nothin’ ta do with his arrival.”
“I see,” she replied, her eyes landing back on Henry. “And what is your name?”
“H—Henry. Henry Hobbs, ma’am,” he stuttered.
“Hobbs?” She paused. “Is Haribold Hobbs your kin?”
Henry’s head twisted to Will, who shrugged. How on earth could she know Henry’s dad?
“Well?” Lavinia questioned.
“Yes, ma’am,” Henry answered with a gulp. “He’s my father. You know him?”
Lavinia smiled. “I do. Very well, in fact.”
Henry’s eyes widened, his head shaking back and forth. “How?”
“Haribold is an old family friend.”
Henry scratched his head. “A friend?”
“Wait, where’s our mother?” Anna interrupted. “Tobin said she was here.”
Lavinia sighed. “Come with me,” she said, motioning them to follow.
Will was the first to follow as she led them through clusters of Elves who had gathered, past stunning tree dwellings, toward the largest tree at the back of the area. “In my home, we can discuss things more privately. Are you hungry or thirsty?” she asked, glancing back.
“I am,” Henry admitted. Will turned to him and shook his head. “What?” Henry shrugged. “I missed breakfast.”
A smile rose on the corners of Lavinia’s lips as she continued to lead them up a grand spiraled staircase. As they reached the top, they entered a large, open area. Everything, from the windows to the doors were beautifully carved from the same wood of the tree. Pleasant aromatic scents, a mixture of floral and earth, carried through the air around them.
“Please sit and get comfortable,” Lavinia said, ushering them to a large table in the center. “There is so much to tell you . . . so much you’ve been sheltered from all these years.”
She snapped her fingers, and two Elven maidens came from a back room, their arms filled with platters of bread, vegetables, and fruit. They filled large golden goblets with red liquid.
Henry dug right in, but Will and Anna didn’t touch their food. Will’s stomach was knotted, hungry for answers.
Lavinia strode toward an outer area that overlooked the forest. Her face was expressionless, gazing deep into the darkness. “Far beyond the Hallowed Wood, beyond the Forked-Tongue River, beyond the Hunchback Hills, and through the Forest of Giants, lies the Crystal Castle,” she finally spoke. “The castle was built for the five Sorcerers of Misteria—those who created and protected our magical land. It was once a place of beauty and celebration. But in recent years, a dark and evil force has crept in, disguised as a once respected wizard.” Lavinia paused and turned toward them. “His name is Malzador.”
“He’s evil all right. As evil as dey get,” Tobin added.
“Why would he want to do anything bad to this place?” Will questioned.
Lavinia turned her gaze back to the forest. “Malzador was once a young, powerful wizard who fell in love with a beautiful Sorceress. He pledged his love to her and offered her a golden ring as a sign of his love. But the Sorceress did not share his same feelings. You see, she had a pure heart and was repelled by his dabbling in dark magic
, and therefore, she rejected him.
“Malzador’s heart was shattered; each piece became filled with hate and darkness. For a while, he disappeared, and no one saw or heard from him.
“During that time, the beautiful Sorceress found her one true love, and they were secretly betrothed. But word of their nuptials traveled, and somehow caught Malzador’s ears, making his dark heart grow colder and more calloused. Knowing he would never possess her love, he gave himself fully to the darkness, focusing his fury on seeking revenge. He wanted nothing more than to kill the Sorceress and everyone she ever loved, like she had killed his heart.
“On one fateful evening, Malzador sent a band of Goblins to her home. They murdered her mother and brother but kept her alive, dragging her by her hair to the top of Teardrop Falls, where Malzador was waiting.
“Malzador’s heart had grown so hard and wicked from his hate and rage, that her desperate pleas for help fell on deaf ears. With a wave of his hand, the Goblins carelessly tossed her over the falls to the jagged rocks below.”
“Just like that?” Anna gasped. “He killed her?”
Lavinia sighed and continued. “By some miracle, the Sorceress survived. Barely holding onto life, she pulled her broken body to a shallow bank before becoming unconscious. Two Buguls, out fishing, happened upon her body and called for help.
“She was brought here, to the Hallowed Wood, while a search began for her missing husband. The next day, his garments were found, soaked in a pool of blood. Laying on top of his clothes, was the ring Malzador had offered the Sorceress.
“The Sorceress’s father immediately assembled a group of Elven warriors to find and capture the evil wizard. They found Malzador sitting alone, near the river bank where they found her body. He thought she was dead.
“That night, the great Sorcerers of Misteria gathered and banished Malzador to the Underworld, where he’s been ever since, plotting his revenge. He wants nothing more than to destroy our land and everything in it.”
“What happened to the Sorceress?” Anna asked.
