Torgon smiled, and his eyes lit up. ‘I can just see their faces now. Of course we’ll need to make a few more bows before the festival.’
‘We can go and get you some tomorrow, unless you prefer to make your own of course.’
‘We do, but would need the right wood, and time is against us.’
‘We’ll buy the ones for the tournament, and sort out the wood you need afterwards.’
‘That is very kind of you,’ said Ellinor.
Alex winked. ‘I also like surprises.’
Torgon clasped Alex around the shoulder. ‘Life on our world is going to be so different, thanks to all of you.’
Ellinor considered the gun in her hands. ‘Would someone show me how you play this paintball game?’
James and Jodie dressed up to show the elf how to play. Alex took some of them for a stroll around the grounds, and the partial gardens Livvy and Donna created.
He turned to Torgon. ‘I hope you don’t mind me asking, but why do some of you look young? Meldun told me he’s over two thousand years old and still looks like your son.’
Torgon nodded. ‘He ought to look older, as should many elves, but we have not aged since we went to our world.’
‘What? None of you?’
‘Only the newborns, they stop aging when they get to about sixty, which would be about twenty in your years.’
‘So you live three times longer than us?’ said Alex.
‘No, we just age three times longer until we get to a certain age and then it’s even slower, I was over two thousand years old before I moved to our world.’
‘Does your world have some part in it?’
Torgon shrugged. ‘We’re not sure if it is the world, or the food it gives us.’
‘That’s me on a new diet,’ said Blaze.
‘I think there will be a lot of new diets,’ Alex added.
When they returned to the mansion Ellinor stood in a paintball suit, covered in yellow paint, with a huge smile on her face.
They went back inside as it started to get dark.
Torgon sat on a sofa in the party room. ‘You should have some of our stones to light your land.’
Alex placed a tray of drinks on the table. ‘We could set lighting up out there, but I think your world is where we will enjoy spending time outside and here inside.’
‘You could be right there. On our world the only time anyone spends indoors is for sleeping, working, and sometimes eating, but here they all like being inside.’
‘It’s nice to have both,’ said Blaze. ‘Walking around your world has been a delight.’
Luella nodded. ‘It also gives Summer a break from cooking.’
‘But I like cooking,’ said Summer, as she approached them with a covered tray.
‘I know, but you need time for yourself.’
James tried to see under the cover. ‘What you got there?’
‘Something I hope to trade at the festival,’ said Summer. ‘That’s if I’m allowed.’
‘Of course,’ said Torgon. ‘I’ve reserved tables for you, Claire and Paige.’
‘Thank you. Would you like to try some?’ said Summer, and removed the lid from the tray.
Torgon chose a slice of chocolate cake and took a bite. ‘This is delicious . . . we don’t have cake on our world.’
‘That’s good, I should do well,’ she said, and passed the tray around, as they all took a piece.
‘If you have any left,’ James mused.
‘I’m not trading these, I will make fresh ones.’
Alex wiped his mouth with a napkin. ‘What are you hoping to trade them for?’
Summer put the tray on the table and sat down. ‘Nothing, I was just going to let everyone have a slice.’
‘I think you missed the point about trading.’
‘I know what it means, and if someone offers me something I like then I’ll think about it.’
‘I will trade you for a new outfit,’ said Paige, taking a slice of cake while passing a boot to Alex.
‘That was quick,’ he said.
‘We have expert help.’
‘How did you get the glue to dry so quickly?’
‘We are not exactly normal anymore.’
‘I’d let that pass,’ Alex said to James.
‘I wouldn’t dream of making a comment.’
‘I want you to try it on, but it might be a bit uncomfortable,’ said Paige.
‘In what way is it uncomfortable?’
‘We had to fold the leather under to glue it to the sole.’
‘That doesn’t sound too pleasant,’ said Alex, and put his hand inside where he could feel the edges of the leather and dried glue. ‘We’ll get some insoles tomorrow.’
Paige looked thoughtfully. ‘I never considered that.’
Alex nodded. ‘I need to get other stuff anyway.’
Claire smiled. ‘And me, we need more stuff for our stall.’
Many of them returned to the elf world, some to try out their ale as it was now evening. They sat outside Brightstone tavern, which looked so different at night, with the nightlights flying around. One landed on Alex’s hand when he held it out. It looked like a large butterfly with glowing wings. It hovered in front of his face as if figuring him out before flying away.
‘You’re honoured,’ said Torgon. ‘It is very rare that they would do that.’
‘I do feel honoured.’ Alex sipped his drink, a little cloudy, and tasted like strong ale if not sweet, but very enjoyable.
Alex only stayed for a couple of drinks, as Paige wanted to go shopping early. Carrie didn’t have a drink. She wanted to join some of the others jumping through the trees as she had wanted to do since they first arrived.
The film finished and Alex put the children to bed. Like all children they did not want to go, but Talitha fell asleep in his arms.
~~~~
Alex left his bedroom the following morning, only to find Kaeya and Flax waiting for him with sad looks on their faces
‘What’s wrong, my friends?’ said Alex, and picked up Flax while Kaeya jumped on his shoulder.
‘We’re sitting at the main table with you,’ said Flax.
‘I know, is it a problem?’
Kaeya nodded. ‘We have no gifts to give?’
‘Have you any idea of what to give them?’
Flax shook her head. ‘No, and no means to get them anyway.’
Alex smiled. ‘You have the means, you have me. Are there any elves here?’
‘Yes, there are a few.’
‘Well you two go and ask them for some ideas, and I’ll have a chat with one of our white witches,’ said Alex, and got a hug from both before they run off.
Carrie stepped out of her room and they walked downstairs. Briana and Aileen were having breakfast with Adair when they approached them.
Alex sat and glanced at the wizard. ‘I haven’t seen you for a while.’
Adair looked up from his breakfast. ‘I’ve been busy helping elves with their magic.’
‘How are they coming along?’
‘Very good, Torgon was only with us for a couple of hours before he was up to speed.’
‘He never mentioned anything.’
‘He has the festival on his mind,’ said Briana.
‘I know it stressed him out yesterday but House gave him some time.’
Aileen pushed her empty bowl away. ‘He did seem more relaxed when he came back after practicing with a bow.’
‘Yeah, and he picked that up very quickly. Did he tell you about the weapons?’
Adair grinned. ‘He appeared with a bow, and many elves almost ran in panic. I believe he enjoyed that. So what about you? Luella said you were not over happy with the festival.’
‘I’m fine, it’s been sorted. The problem is the gifts, and what to get them.’
Briana raised a brow. ‘I thought you had yours sorted.’
‘I have, but the pixies and pucas are worried, and I haven’t talked to the gnomes about
it yet.’
‘They’re not expected to give gifts,’ said Aileen. ‘They’re part of the mansion and your gifts will be sufficient for all.’
‘Try telling that to Kaeya and Flax, they’re upset at not having any gifts.’
‘Bless their hearts,’ said Briana. ‘We can help them, but they only need gifts for the elves and not anyone from here.’
‘I agree, and any ideas are welcome as I’ll be going shopping soon.’
‘Spices,’ said Aileen.
‘Paper,’ said Briana.
Alex scratched his head. ‘Paper?’
‘Yes, it’s very scarce on their world.’
‘I should have known that. If wood is scarce, paper would be.’
‘Something to write on it with would be good to,’ Adair suggested.
‘Yes, pens and pencils are easy to get.’
‘They don’t know what to buy,’ said Flax, glumly as she walked up to their table.
Alex smiled. ‘These three wonderful people have sorted it out for you.’
Kaeya jumped onto his shoulder. ‘And for us, too?’
‘Yeah, and the gnomes.’
‘Do we need to do anything?’ said Flax.
‘No, just eat breakfast and have fun.’
‘We had ours ages ago,’ said Kaeya.
‘Who cooked it?’ said Alex.
‘Anna and Leanne,’ said Aileen, ‘and it was very nice.’
Alex stood to get his breakfast, but Gort brought it over to him and Carrie on a tray.
Alex smiled at the puca. ‘So how powerful is Torgon’s magic?’
‘Very powerful,’ said Adair. ‘His family have always been wizards.’
‘I never thought you could forget how to use magic once it was in you.’
‘Neither would I, but you have to remember he’s hardly used it in the last two thousand years.’
‘Is that why they were the kings?’
‘They are the first family, who have always protected elves with their power. Of course when they moved to the new world their magic wasn’t needed, so they dropped the titles.’
‘They’re still the leaders though.’
‘The elves were not over happy about losing their beloved leaders, so they stayed in charge and become lords and ladies instead.
James drove a few of them shopping. They bought more weapons not just bows, but swords and axes. They went to a stationer’s and bought plenty of paper in boxes of reams, pads, and boxes of pencils and pens. The next stop was to get spices which they got by the sack load, Alex also bought spice racks with the spice jars on them. Lastly they went to the factory shop for more leather and material for insoles. Paige managed to get some mannequins and Claire decided to add more belts and buckles.
James stood watching her. ‘I never thought you’d be enjoying this so much.’
Claire had a handful of belts. ‘What’s not to enjoy, I’m spending his money on things to trade on our stall.’
James laughed. ‘That’s clever.’
‘I thought so.’
‘Do you have to have this conversation in front of me?’ Alex huffed.
Claire patted his cheek. ‘I’ll trade for something you’ll like.’
On the way back to the mansion they came across a police road block, and James had to pull over. A sergeant and two constables stepped onto the coach.
The sergeant looked around at everyone, and finally at Alex. ‘We are stopping all vehicles along here as we believe terrorists are trying to stop the final destiny.’
Alex shook his head. ‘The final destiny, I’ve never heard of that.’
‘Only the privileged few have. Now tell me, why do you need such a large vehicle for so few?’
‘It’s the only one we have to carry the rolls of material we bought,’ said Alex. House, are you there? he said in his mind but got no reply.
The sergeant glared at him. ‘What do you need so much material for?’
‘The ladies are designing clothes.’ Don’t say anything. Alex told the others.
‘Designing clothes is no threat to anyone,’ said a constable.
‘I don’t know about that, have you seen what some of them are wearing in the city nowadays,’ said Alex, trying to put humour into the conversation, as the weapons they bought were all in the luggage holders.
‘Yes, but it matters not,’ said the sergeant. ‘We know about you, and we are going to stop you.’
‘Stop me from doing what?’ said Alex.
‘You and your children will not affect the final destiny, we will make sure of that,’ the sergeant said, as more police got on, and a dozen bikers pulled up outside the coach.
Alex sensed a presence, as he felt his own power grow. ‘I’ve no idea of what you’re talking about.’
‘You’re a liar, and we are here to stop you,’ said the sergeant, before he suddenly collapsed, as did the other police officers and the bikers.
Sorry, I was somewhere else, said House.
Alex shook his head. ‘What the hell just happened?’
It was like before when I went to protect the children at Blaze’s, some people in the area were acting in the same way.
‘Like when Asima got arrested?’
I imagine so. I was not there and only heard about it.
Alex looked at the unconscious police officers. ‘What we gonna do with them?’
I will put them by their cars, as other vehicles are coming this way. They will wake soon, and have no recollection of what just happened.
They vanished and Alex stepped off the coach.
‘What’s going on,’ said the sergeant, as he came around, sitting on the floor by a police car.
I don’t know,’ said Alex. ‘You’ve got a roadblock here, but you were all unconscious.’
‘That doesn’t sound right . . . I’ve had no orders for a road block.’
Alex helped him to his feet. ‘I wouldn’t know about that, we just found you here and the traffic is building up behind us.’
A constable stood and rubbed his eyes. ‘That’s strange . . . I don’t even remember coming here.’
Alex feigned alarm. ‘Those bikers were unconscious, and we thought you had a shootout.’
‘We don’t have any guns for that,’ said the sergeant, rubbing his face. ‘How are we going to explain all this?’
A constable sighed. ‘I don’t think I will get my promotion now.’
Alex raised a brow. ‘You might not want to report it then.’
The sergeant folded his arms as he watched the bikers look around confused. ‘Wish we didn’t have to, but when people start reporting strange events, we will have questions to answer.’
‘Only we could see, as our coach blocked the view from the other cars.’
The sergeant looked hopeful. ‘And you’re not going to say anything?’
‘No, on one condition.’
‘What condition?’ said the sergeant, and removed the road block as some of the officers directed the traffic through.
‘You go for a check-up, and make sure there are no after effects.’
‘Yes, I will, it worries me now.’
‘I wouldn’t be too worried, as it happened to all of you, there could be a gas leak around here.’
‘I might need a reason to get that checked out.’
‘I could get a few friends to make a phone call complaining they felt strange when they came past here.’
The sergeant smiled. ‘You would do that for us?’
‘Why not? Something happened here and we come this way quite often. It would be nice to know it’s safe,’ said Alex, who didn’t want these officers to suffer for something that wasn’t their fault.
‘What made you think of gas?’ said the sergeant.
‘As I said we come through a lot but always driving. You set up a road block so you was out of your car, the bikers I guess stopped and breathed it in,’ said Alex. ‘Of course it doesn’t explain the road block, unless it also affects your behavio
ur.’
‘But we are OK now,’ said a constable.
‘Yeah, that’s what worries me. I don’t know much about this stuff, but if it is gas, it could release it now and then.’
‘We better get going before it happens again,’ said the sergeant.
The police let the coach through.
‘OK, on a scale of one to ten, how weird was that?’ said Claire, who like the others, apart from James, sat sideways across two seats.
Jodie stared at Alex. ‘They wanted you, and know who you are.’
‘Yeah, and what the hell is the final destiny?’
‘You don’t know?’ said Paige, ‘But House said it happened before.’
‘Yeah, Asima was arrested by other police officers, also acting strange, and George got her released. It left Adhara, Sarin and Sally to the mercy of a gang of men.’
‘We took care of those,’ said James, quite pleased.
‘Similar things were happening around where Blaze lived, so House stayed there for a while.’
‘And you have no idea why?’ said Claire.
‘No, and that makes it all the more annoying.’
‘Are your dreams not telling you anything?’ said Jodie.
Alex shook his head. ‘No, not that I know of. House, what did you do to them?’
How do you mean? Said the spirit.
‘They act strange, but you make them normal.’
They are not themselves, it is like something is possessing them, and I remove that possession.
‘That sounds like a neat trick,’ said James.
It is simple for me as I only have to touch their minds. I did not do it to those others you fought though, so it must leave them after a while.
‘How is it they knew you?’ said James, ‘But after House took away the possession, they woke up, and had no idea who you were.’
Alex rubbed his chin. ‘I think the word is possession, and whatever is doing it to them knows me.’
‘A spirit, a dark one,’ said Carrie.
‘That’s what I thought, but why?’
‘Revenge, it probably thinks you killed the warlock, not to mention demons.’
‘No, it started before I knew anything of the warlock or the demons. Of course it might have something to do with when I saved the twins.’
‘There’s more to it,’ said Claire. ‘The sergeant said you were going to stop something.’
Other Worlds: Vesta Mansion Trilogy - Book Two - Fantasy Page 30
