by Joni Parker
“Nothing. Just convince Teller that he needs to get his affairs in order to retire. Can you do that?”
“Certainly.”
“Excellent. Keep in touch. You’ll be on the fast track for flag, Jonas.” He pointed to the miniature one-star flag sitting on his desk, representing his rank as Admiral.
Captain Jonas shook hands with him. “Thank you. I appreciate your support, Admiral.”
“What are friends for?”
***
Tyler returned to the scene at the Tor. The moon was so bright he could see his shadow on the ground. In the distance, a car started up along with several others. They drove forward to light the area but died when they got too close.
Tyler balled his hands into fists—if only the drawing of her could have been released earlier. But he’d been trapped in that building for hours. The Admiral went on the telly without it, hoping his description would be enough. No leads came in until the sketch was released. Within an hour, two police officers had found a pub where the barkeep said she’d been for most of the afternoon. The telly had been on all day and if he’d seen the picture earlier, he would have called in. Later, another man called with a tip and said he had helped the young woman get to Victoria Coach Station to catch a coach to Glastonbury. A search of the station revealed that the young woman was no longer there. A cleaning woman identified her and said she got on a coach. A review of CCTV showed Jeffrey buying a ticket to Glastonbury. Several hours later, he boarded a coach with the girl. By the time Tyler had that information, the bus was halfway there, so he’d focused his efforts on Glastonbury.
But why Glastonbury? It made no sense. The city of Bath would have made more sense since the wizard could fly his ship there and land in the water. Glastonbury was a small village, long known for hocus-pocus nonsense and its population of aging hippies. Did the girl have relatives in the area? His staff had checked, but the results were negative.
He’d called ahead to the local police station to notify them of her presence. There were less than a handful of full-time officers at this small station, but they had reserves for several festivals held during the year. Thanks to an observant officer, he knew the girl was there, heading to the Tor.
What the bloody hell was a Tor anyway? One of the men got his tablet computer working by plugging it into a functioning car and Tyler had him check out what the Tor was. It was a large hill made of limestone with a lot of hollows, where water had washed away the stone. The one in Glastonbury was legendary—where Merlin was supposed to have lived, the hollow hills. Bollocks!
And what was so special about this moon? It was the night of the Super Moon, the closest the moon would come to Earth, this year. So, what?
It wasn’t until he came here that he got answers to his questions, but they raised new ones. The girl came for that arch. Where did it come from? Was it here all along and where did it go? What was it for? What was it made of?
Tyler knew this event could destroy the good relations the police had with the local community. At least, the loss of power would delay any press reaction, but he wasn’t sure for how long.
He reviewed the scene at the pit. Three police cars sat with their lids up, useless. Six Geiger counters sat on the ground, also useless. Bands of yellow tape surrounded the dead zone with a dozen men guarding it. Tyler stared to the top of the Tor, still lit by the moon and occupied by people singing songs for the girl.
He grimaced and slid down into the pit where the arch had been located. Footprints of two people went up to the point where the girl had fallen. One set went ahead; the other ended in blood. His finger on his left hand felt warm and he opened and closed it several times. His previously broken finger moved easily. After she used her blue light on it, it wasn’t broken anymore. Maybe she was real. He scrambled out of the pit and went down the street. He turned on his mobile to call his office in London. Detective Sergeant Pennington answered.
“Yes, Inspector.”
“The girl was shot multiple times so I sent Smith with her to hospital in London by chopper. Find out her status and call me.”
“I’ll call Smith.”
“And bring in that wizard.”
“You mean Ecstasy? Hold on a minute.” She came back on the line, hesitating. “Guv, I hate to tell you this, but I just was told that he’s missing.”
“What? How did that happen?”
“I don’t know. His flat was under surveillance but he’s disappeared.”
“Find him!” Tyler rubbed his forehead. His thoughts raced, but this is what drew him to police work—he was all in, body, soul, and mind. In spite of its setbacks, he loved his job.
Chapter 19
SUMMONS
In Eledon, the Council of Elders convened without Lord Odin, but summoned his wife, Lady Lestin of the Water Elves.
Lady Lestin notified her husband in Elfspeak as she got ready. “Odin, do you know why the Council would want me to attend this morning’s meeting?” She smiled when she saw his face appear before her.
“No, as a matter of fact, I was told there wasn’t going to be a meeting. Did they give you any indication?”
“None. Well, I shall find out. Is everything all right?”
“Actually, no.” He paused. “Jeffrey was found on Opal Island alone. He said Alex didn’t come back with him and he thinks she may have been badly injured.”
Her knees went weak. “Oh no! Can you find out for sure? Can you send someone?”
“I can’t send anyone, but I’m trying to find out what happened.” He smiled weakly. “Contact me as soon as the meeting’s over, my love.”
Lady Lestin sat down and stared away, concerned for Alex. Tears ran down her cheeks and she took several deep breaths. After a few moments, she wiped her face, knowing that her granddaughter had strength she didn’t understand. Then she stood up and checked her gown in the mirror. This wasn’t the first time she’d visited the Council, but she had never been summoned before. It was unnerving. She wanted to make a good impression, but wasn’t sure what this was about. She leaned closer to the mirror, put the finishing touches on her hair, and left for the Council building.
The Council building was made of alabaster and shaped like a large white cube, two hundred feet on each side. On top of the building stood a white pyramid topped with a large crystal that glittered in the sun.
As Lady Lestin stood on the bottom step, her cousin, Prince Darin, came up next to her. “Good morning, my lady.” He saluted and bowed.
“Good morning, Prince Darin.” Lady Lestin curtsied and saluted. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Lord Odin told me you were summoned to the Council and asked me to accompany you in his stead. And he told me about Alex. I’ll be glad to assist in any way I can.”
“Thank you. Do you know what the Council wants?”
“I have an idea. The Rock Elves are here.”
“What do you mean?”
“They want Seaward Isle, or as we know it, Nexus Island, and you own the deed. Crestan reported seeing a Rock Elf ship on the way there.” He took her arm and said, “Ascend.” The bottom step lifted them to the top of the portico where they stepped off.
Lady Lestin felt a chill and tears came to her eyes. “They can’t have it.” She shook her head firmly. “No.”
A Council guard dressed in a gray uniform opened the door and bowed to them. Once inside, the Chamber Elf met her and handed her a green visitor’s robe.
“Must I? It doesn’t match my dress.” Lady Lestin’s eyes pleaded with him.
“No, my lady.” The Chamber Elf folded the robe over his arm and escorted them into the Council chamber where the members were waiting.
Prince Darin and Lady Lestin greeted the members as appropriate.
“Please rise. Lady Lestin, welcome. Prince Darin, this is an unexpected surprise.” Lord Ashur, the senior member of the Council, nodded to him. Lord Ashur was the last of the Fire Elves and rumored to be over ten thousand years old. In spite of his age, his m
ind was sharp.
“Lord Odin asked me to accompany his wife.” The Prince bowed.
“Welcome.” Lord Ashur cleared his throat. “Have you met Lord Fissure of the Rock Elves?” He waved to his right where Lord Fissure stood, wearing the Council’s green robe.
Lord Fissure exchanged polite, but tense greetings with them.
“Lord Fissure has a request for you, Lady Lestin,” Lord Ashur said.
“Thank you, Lord Ashur. My request is simple, Lady Lestin. I understand that you have claimed ownership of Nexus Island. Now that it has returned to the grid, I ask that you relinquish your claim and allow the Rock Elves to return to our homeland.”
Lady Lestin glanced quickly at Prince Darin. “No, my lord, the Rock Elves abandoned their claim over a thousand years ago. My brother claimed it since no one else did. It no longer belongs to you. Besides, the Water Elves have made use of the island and many mortals still reside there.”
“Yes…we understand that his Highness has established an operating base on the island and wishes to keep it. We can abide by that. But we cannot live with mortals. They don’t belong in Eledon—they belong in the mortal world. They should return to where they belong, especially your granddaughter, the Keeper of the Keys.”
“My granddaughter?”
“She’s proven to be a lethal threat to all Elves.”
“My granddaughter has worked hard to preserve peace in Eledon in spite of us. She has risked her life for our sakes. I disagree with everything you say about her. In addition, the mortals on the island have been good citizens and maintained the land properly. Forces unknown brought them to our shores unwillingly.”
“The Mentors built the island for Elves, not mortals.” Lord Fissure took several steps forward in a threatening manner. “I ask again for you to relinquish your claim and turn it over to my people.”
“I will not!” Lady Lestin stood as tall as she could, but Lord Fissure was a towering figure, close to seven feet tall. Sweat dripped down the back of her dress and her knees shook, but she maintained her resolve.
“The island belongs to my people. Release it to us now!” His lips formed a snarl.
“Never! And that’s my final word.”
Prince Darin’s face turned a bright shade of crimson, but he had refrained from speaking until now. “The Water Elves fully support Lady Lestin’s claim to the island. When we first received word of this document, we had it examined. The claim was made more than a hundred years after you abandoned it, allowing plenty of time for you to claim it. However, you did not. Rightfully, Lord Carvel, Duke of the Twelfth Seas and Lady Lestin’s brother, claimed the island.”
“Lady Opaline also claimed the island.”
“Her claim was a forgery and therefore, invalid.” The Prince stepped between Lady Lestin and Lord Fissure. “Any attempt by the Rock Elves to take this island will be seen by all Water Elves as an act of war.”
Gasps rose in the room. Lord Fissure grimaced. “We aren’t afraid of Water Elves. King Sidin would never permit this.”
“I speak for my father and all Water Elves. Stay away from the island, Lord Fissure or face the consequences!” Prince Darin clenched his fists.
“I protest these threats, Lord Ashur. I ask that the Council vote to allow us to inhabit the island.”
Lord Ashur rubbed his chin and paused to think. “The Council has also examined Lord Carvel’s claim and it’s legitimate. Therefore, we have no choice but to support Lady Lestin’s claim to the island. The Rock Elves will not be allowed to relocate there.”
“I demand a ruling from the Mentors!” Lord Fissure shook his fist. “This is beyond the Council’s purview.”
Lord Ashur sighed. “Very well. Council members, please rise and we shall request assistance from the Mentors.” He stood at his chair and raised his hands. “Mentors, we ask for your guidance.”
In the middle of the chamber, a small flame appeared above the pedestal, a Mentor’s flame. It was about the size of a hand and floated in the air, burning steadily.
“Good morning, Council members and to your special guests. What may we do for you today?” A deep male voice emanated from the flame.
Lord Ashur bowed. “Many years ago, the Rock Elves inhabited Nexus Island, but abandoned it over a thousand years ago when it became unstable. As you know, since that time, mortals have arrived on the island and remain as a result of the storms set up to imprison a powerful Titan. Recently, our Keeper of the Keys removed the storms and restored the island to the Elf grid. Now, the Rock Elves want the island returned to them. Lady Lestin’s brother, Lord Carvel, had laid claim to it after its abandonment by the Rock Elves and her ladyship maintains his claim. In addition, the Water Elves use of part of the island and are willing to defend it at all costs. We ask for your assistance in sorting this matter.”
The Mentor’s flame flickered. “It’s true that the Rock Elves were given permission to inhabit Nexus Island over three thousand years ago. The island was new and the Rock Elves formed it well. It’s also true that they abandoned it upon our suggestion when the island became unstable. The claim by Lord Carvel is legitimate. At the time, the island was too unstable for anyone to inhabit and it had separated from the main body of Eledon. He sent horses and unicorns to populate the island.” The Mentor paused and the flame continued to flicker. “The arrival of mortals was unfortunate and not anticipated.” Once more, the Mentor paused. “Where is the Keeper of the Keys?”
Lady Lestin choked back a sob. “The Keeper returned to Seaward Isle with Lord Odin and found five new shipwrecks on the island. She was helping them return to the mortal world, but was injured upon her return. I don’t know her status at this time.” She wiped tears away.
Lord Fissure stepped forward. “Let her stay with the mortals, where she belongs, Mentor.”
“No! She belongs here with me, with us.” Lady Lestin clenched her fists. “She’s my granddaughter!”
The Mentor’s flame flashed. “Lady Lestin, we acknowledge your claim and the good work of your granddaughter. She has our permission to remain in Eledon as the Keeper of the Keys for the rest of her life. Her greatest achievement, thus far, has been the restoration of Eledon and that has allowed us to continue to build Nexus Island as originally planned. We have adjusted the position of the island and it will become the fifth continent of Eledon within a thousand years. New land has already been added to the north and needs tending. Therefore, our decision is thus. The Rock Elves will be allowed to take the northern part of the island, delineated by the ridge running from west to east. The Water Elves will have the southern half of the island where the mortals may stay if they wish. However, we will establish a new entry point on Nexus Island to allow their return home.”
Lord Fissure gritted his teeth. “Mentors, the Rock Elves spent years developing the southern part of the island. Our sweat and toil built the harbors that you give away so freely to the Water Elves and the mortals. They cannot take what they didn’t build. It’s ours.”
“Did you not hear what I said, Lord Fissure?” The flame flared. “I said the Water Elves will have the southern part of the island which you abandoned and they properly claimed. It is done.” The flame vanished.
Lady Lestin smiled and clasped her hands together. Prince Darin embraced her.
“It’s done.” Lord Ashur said.
“I protest!” Lord Fissure raised a fist.
“It’s done!” Lord Ashur repeated. “Live with what you’ve been given or stay where you are. Be grateful we don’t take Tulon from you as well. Chamber Elf, clear the room. Meeting adjourned.” He stood up and left.
Lord Fissure tore off his green robe and threw it on the floor. He stormed away and headed to the door. His entourage dropped their robes on the floor, a sign of disrespect.
Prince Darin escorted Lady Lestin to the door. “Perhaps you should stay with me until Lord Odin returns, my lady. The Rock Elves aren’t happy.”
“Will you allow the mortals to sta
y if they wish?”
“Of course. They’re some of my finest workers.”
“I’ll let my husband know.”
Prince Darin escorted her to his fortress and went to inform his father, the King.
***
On Seaward Isle, Lord Odin had mixed feelings about the Mentors’ decision. It was a compromise and Rock Elves didn’t compromise. They were as stubborn as the rocks they were named for, but even rocks erode over time. He knew they would take any measure to get the land back. He discussed the matter with the Commandant and warned him to be vigilant along the northern border. But he was relieved to hear that Alex would be allowed to continue to serve as the Keeper of the Keys and stay for the rest of her life. He stared at her leather pouch, holding the Keys of Eledon and wished she were here. Jeffrey couldn’t provide any more information to alleviate his fears about her safety. Yet, he was confident she would return, one day.
Chapter 20
HOSPITAL
The door to the helicopter slammed shut. Alex blinked, aware of the noise but uncertain where she was. The fumes made her nauseous; bile rose in her throat; she tasted blood, her blood. The helicopter jolted and pain surged through her body. She moaned.
The medic knelt beside her and set up a saline solution into her arm, adding some morphine for pain. He leaned down to her right ear. “This’ll ease the pain. Stay with me, lass!” He paused and stared at her. She was so young. Her eyes were open but she was listless—her heart rate weak. He rubbed her chest with his fist to get her attention. “Listen to me, those bastards wanted to kill you. You’re not going to let them get away with that, are you, lass?”
Alex turned her head slightly to him and blinked. The pain eased. She felt warm and smiled, grateful.
“It’s the morphine. I was a medic in the Army and I’ve seen some wounds like what you have. You can make it if you want to. Do you want to?”
His voice gave her energy and her eyes brightened.
