Curse of the Sea

by Joni Parker

  A ten-minute news summary followed, enough to remind her of the outside world. There was even a report about her, catching her attention. With interest, she viewed the manhunt for her that started in London and ended in that pit in Glastonbury. The Royal Navy was pressing charges and a hearing would be scheduled soon. Detective Inspector Tyler was interviewed, expressing his regret that she’d been injured, but noted that she had fully recovered. He emphasized that the case was a matter of national security.

  “Yeah, right.” Alex scoffed.

  After the news, more educational programs followed. After two programs, the guards slid her lunch through the door. Alex sat on her bed, eating cold chicken, mashed potatoes, and overcooked peas. She drank tea and water with a piece of pie, type unknown, and nodded. The food was edible and she felt stronger. After she ate, the guard came by to collect the tray.

  A short time later, two guards came by to unlock her door. The medic followed them in and examined Alex, removing the Band-aids and checked her eyes for a concussion. “She’s all right.” The medic left.

  The guards took her to an enclosed area for fifteen minutes of exercise. Tall fences bordered two sides of the area with a guard on top with a gun. Alex looked up at her as she wandered around. Twenty steps along each side. She spent the next few minutes doing light calisthenics to get the blood flowing through her arms and legs, until the guards came. The fresh air and exercise helped clear her head.

  When she returned to her room, a history program came on about the Celts of Early Britain. These were the Blue People she’d met when she was in Glastonbury, years before. Then they’d broken her out of prison and she’d escaped. Unfortunately, they were no longer around. She ate supper during the program, hardly noticing what she ate.

  Later, the lights blinked and the telly turned off. An announcement from overhead told her that lights would be out in five minutes. It was time for bed. Five minutes later, the light in her cell went out and the only light came in from the hall. A guard came by to check on her.

  Alex crawled between the sheets, still in her clothes. The fact that she was being punished for the wrong reason gnawed at her, but she kept her mouth shut. The next day, her routine was virtually the same but with two stints outside. In addition, she increased the amount of exercise she did as she watched the telly to release her frustration.

  After two days, the guards came by and took her to the rules lady. The woman sat at her desk, frowning when Alex came in.

  “I’ve reviewed CCTV and changed your punishment to time served. You’ll be returned to the same cell, but I warn you that any further violations will result in time added to your sentence when you’re convicted. Take her away.” Her face flushed as she waved at the guards.

  “What’s CCTV?” Alex asked.

  “The video recording of the fight. You weren’t the instigator.”

  “I know.” As Alex marched away, she grinned. The rules lady made a mistake. Ha! When Alex arrived at the cell, her mates were getting ready to leave for breakfast. Alex was glad to see them again. Mary and Esther embraced her.

  “I can take care of myself, Yank. I don’t need your help.” Zelda kept her distance.

  “You’re welcome, Zelda. I’ll remember that. Next time, you’re on your own.”

  Zelda grinned, a crooked smile and her eyes twinkled. “There won’t be a next time.”

  Alex went with them to the kitchen where she learned how to use an industrial dishwasher. She could get paid a pound a day for every four hours of work. After work, she joined the others for lunch and went to a counseling session with Zelda who was required to take it for drug abuse. Then it was time for supper and after that, Alex followed everyone out.

  On the other side of the yard, a fight broke out and another woman was Tasered. Alex gasped, feeling the pain as if she’d been hit again. She grabbed her chest in sympathy and her arms and legs went numb. Never again. Any fighting or escape attempt could be met with this weapon, forcing Alex to assessed her current situation.

  Her previous escape had nearly killed her, proving that she was in a foreign environment with hostile people who had guns and Tasers. The building around her had guards with more guns and electrified fences. Her only useful possessions, her cloak pin and her green stone necklace, were in Tyler’s possession. She could use her blue light to get out, but then what? She didn’t even know where she was. Rosella, the Sea Sprite, was the only person she knew on the outside and she was stuck here, too. Unless the Elves showed up to break her out of jail, she was stuck here until the mortals let her go. She could handle ninety days under these circumstances—she wasn’t chained to the wall and the food was decent.

  Decision made, Alex settled into prison life, working in the kitchen in the mornings and taking classes in the afternoons. At night, the girls taught her about life in London and the mortal world in general. But it was during one of those conversations when Zelda made a random comment about bullets containing lead that stopped Alex cold.

  Lead? Alex pressed her lips together to hide her shock. Oh, no! Lead could be floating around inside my body. Even minor exposure to lead made her lethargic. Was that why she’d decided not to escape? At the time, her decision had seemed decisive and rational, but now, seemed overly cautious. She’d start looking for opportunities to escape…tomorrow. She rolled over and went to sleep.

  Sometime later, the guards came in and woke Alex up. “Hey, Yank, get up.” The guard stepped into the cell and pounded on her bed, waking Zelda as well.

  “What the fuck are you doing? It’s late.” Zelda raised her middle finger at the guard.

  “Tone it down, Zelda. It’s just a barrister. Let’s go, Yank.”

  “A barrister? Now?” Alex slid off her bed as Zelda went back to sleep. Alex was handcuffed and taken to a secure room with a metal door. The guard handcuffed her to the table and left, leaving her alone.

  Chapter 24

  ENTRY POINT

  In Eledon, Lord Odin returned to Meridian. He’d taken considerable time with the mortals on Seaward Isle. He’d been greatly relieved to hear their stories about the return of the island to the grid. The transition had gone smoothly. Even food shortages had been avoided, due to the stockpiles accumulated before it happened. He also questioned Jeffrey extensively, receiving details of his escape with Alex and had a clearer picture of events. However, Jeffrey could only apologize for leaving Alex behind and left him with a dismal image of her lying face down in the dirt, covered with blood.

  Upon his return to Meridian, he attended his first Council meeting, sitting silently and slumping in his chair. Frequently, he glanced behind Lord Ashur’s chair, hoping to see Alex standing in her position, but she wasn’t there. Tears came to his eyes and he blinked them back.

  “Lord Odin.” Lord Ashur stood at his chair and waited for him to respond.

  Lord Odin realized that he was the only Council member seated and rose to his feet. “My apologies, my lord.”

  “Is something bothering you?”

  “Yes, I’m concerned about the Keeper.”

  “As we all are. Perhaps the Mentors can help us find out something about her.” He raised his arms in the air. “Mentors, greetings from the Council of Elders.”

  The small flame appeared above the pedestal. “Good morning, Council members. It’s a pleasure to be with you today.” Today’s Mentor was female with a lovely voice. “Welcome back, Lord Odin. We’ve missed you.”

  “Thank you, Mentor.” Lord Odin bowed deeply.

  “Where’s the Keeper, Lord Ashur?”

  “Several weeks ago, Lord Odin found several shipwrecks near Nexus Island. He gave the Keeper permission to assist in the return of a group of sailors to the mortal world, but she has yet to return. We received a disturbing report that she was injured, but we haven’t been able to obtain any information. Can you find out?”

  The flame flickered as silence descended on the chamber. “Lord Ashur, the Keeper was severely injured, but she has
recovered. We’ve located her in a prison cell.” The flame enlarged showing a picture of Alex wearing her scruffy sweat suit, exercising in her cell as she watched the telly.

  “It looks quite clean there. What’s she doing?” Lord Root asked. He was the Pixie Elf representative on the Council and had known Alex from birth.

  “She’s watching television, a mortal invention.” The Mentor’s flame returned to normal and the picture went away.

  “What will happen to her?” Lord Root asked.

  “With mortals, the future is always uncertain. We must wait to see what they choose to do. As of this moment, they’ve charged her with damaging property and six counts of murder.”

  “Oh my!” Lord Root covered his mouth. “Lord Odin, did she do this?”

  “The mortals thought she was delusional in claiming to be an Elf and tried to lock her up. She escaped and by doing so, caused damage to the building and she also had to defend herself and Colonel Jeffrey from six people. At least that’s my understanding of the situation.”

  “What will happen to her?”

  “I don’t know the particulars, Lord Root. Mentor, do you know?”

  “No, it’s hard for us to understand the actions of mortals.”

  “How can we get her back?”

  “As you requested, Lord Odin, we are preparing a new entry point to the mortal world. We can no longer use the one on Opal Island, as suggested since we moved its position with the addition of new land. A new one will be located at Jade Crossing on Nexus Island at the fall solstice. Anyone using the entry point may designate the location and year they wish to be sent to. As you know, the day and time must remain the same. The Keeper can use it to return.”

  Lord Ashur raised his eyebrows and glanced at Lord Odin with a grin. “Excellent suggestion, Mentor. Can you let her know?”

  “I cannot, but Lord Arethus can. She was able to contact him using his key.”

  Lord Odin snapped his fingers. “Yes, of course.” His face lit up; his mood improved.

  “Lord Ashur, what else do you have?”

  “The Rock Elves have sent a report back about the northern part of Nexus Island. They say it’s uninhabitable. It’s covered with mud and they don’t have enough land builders to make it solid enough to walk on.”

  “Who holds the Keeper’s keys?”

  “I do, Mentor.” Lord Odin held up the pouch.

  “Lord Odin, you may use the keys to help the Rock Elves.”

  “But I’ve never used them successfully before.”

  “They’ll respond to you, although they do miss the Keeper.”

  “I’ll contact Lord Fissure immediately.”

  “What else, my lords?” The Mentor’s flame flickered.

  “Nothing, Mentor. You have our thanks.” Lord Ashur bowed and the flame vanished. “Lord Odin, inform the mortals of the new entry point and assist the Rock Elves. Do you need any further assistance in these matters?”

  “No, my lord.” Lord Odin sat down and cried openly. Alex survived! He was so relieved he didn’t even hear Lord Ashur dismiss the meeting.

  Lord Root came over to him and touched his knee. “My friend, this is good news.”

  “Indeed, it was. I must tell her grandmother.” He wiped his tears away.

  Lord Root patted him gently on his knee. “If you need to talk, I’ll be at home. See you in the morning.” He took off his blue robe and left it on his chair.

  Chapter 25

  JADE CROSSING

  The next morning, Lord Odin boarded the Elf ship, Rambler, for Seaward Isle. He was so used to calling the island by that name, he could no longer think of it as Nexus. Perhaps he should recommend a change to the name. Still, it would become a continent soon enough and needed another name. What would it be?

  When he landed in Agana, he went to find the Commandant, Lyle. He liked the man—he was a formidable warrior as well as a fine administrator, not an easy combination. At present, he remained the leader of the island’s population, although elections were scheduled for next month.

  Lord Odin arrived unannounced in his office. “Good morning, Commandant.”

  “Lord Odin, how good to see you.” The Commandant smiled and saluted.

  “I have good news.”

  “Excellent. Please sit down and have some tea.” He snapped his fingers at one of his men for tea and they sat down. Tea was served within minutes.

  Lord Odin sipped and exhaled slowly. “Thank you, I needed that. We’ve received word through the Mentors that Alex has recovered from her injuries; however, she’s in prison, awaiting trial. I’m not sure what that will entail.”

  “Captain Williams may be able to help you in this matter. She should know the process involved.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that, but I’d like to ask her. The next bit of news involves a new entry point. Apparently, the Mentors can no longer use the one on Opal Island and are creating a new one at Jade Crossing. It’ll appear on the night of the fall solstice. Once the sailors go through, Alex can use it to get back.”

  “Hmmm, Jade Crossing?” The Commandant stood up and went over to the map. After a few minutes, he located it. “Yes, it’s about fifty miles east of here. Not much out there. It used to be in the Jade Desert, but now, we’re calling it the Jade Meadow. I was out there a few months ago. It’s quite beautiful.”

  Lord Odin stepped up beside him. “Show me.”

  The Commandant put his finger on the spot.

  “Why is it called Jade Crossing?” Lord Odin asked.

  “Alex said the Dwarves used to mine jade in the Green Stone Mine and transported it over land to Pashkina. It crossed over this riverbed, which was dry at the time, but no longer.”

  “Sometimes, she amazes me.”

  “I’ll have Captain Williams come by.” The Commandant left and Lord Odin stood at the map. Jade Crossing would be the next place he’d see Alex. A tear came to his eye at the thought as he sipped his tea.

  The Commandant returned and a few minutes later, Captain Williams arrived. She saluted Lord Odin like an Elf. “Good day, Lord Odin. It’s a pleasure to see you again. I understand you have a question for me.”

  “Yes, I do. I’ve gotten some information about my granddaughter. She’s well, but she’s locked up in prison. Can you tell me what will happen to her?”

  “Has she had a trial yet?”

  “I don’t believe so.”

  “That would be the next step in the process. If she’s found guilty, she’ll stay in prison, but if not, she’ll be released.”

  “Good to hear. I know she’s not guilty. I have some more good news. The Mentors are setting up a new entry point for you to get home. It’ll be at a place called Jade Crossing and will appear at the fall solstice. You’ll be able to designate the year and place you wish to go. Unfortunately, it’s located about fifty miles to the east of here, so transportation will have to be arranged.”

  “No kidding? We’ll walk if we have to. Is there a reason why it’s there and not any place closer?”

  “It has something to do with the new position of these islands. As soon as you and your sailors are through, Alex will return home using the same entry point.”

  “I’ll bet you’ll be happy to see her again.”

  “I will. Where do you think you’ll want to be sent? I need to let my granddaughter know so she can use it to come back.”

  Captain Williams paused. “We were supposed to muster at Portsmouth Naval Base in southern England for a final briefing. I’d say there.”

  “What year was it when you left?”

  “2031.”

  “So, when you get to the entry point, you’d simply say that you want to go to Portsmouth Naval Base in the year 2031 and it will take you there. The date and time will remain the same.”

  “I understand. How are you going to get word to your granddaughter?”

  “It’s complicated.” Lord Odin sighed.

  “Thank you for finding us a way home, Lord Odin.�
� Captain Williams saluted and left.

  Lord Odin spent the next few days in Agana and then went to Nyla to inform Governor Tyrone and Colonel Penser of the news. After that, he returned to Meridian. The next day, he left to spend a quiet weekend with his wife, Lady Lestin, at his home in Wood-dale. On the way, they discussed Alex’s situation.

  “Odin, why can’t you get her back here? She doesn’t belong there,” Lestin said.

  “There’s nothing I can do, Lestin.” He held out his hands. “She’s beyond our reach. We can’t even Elfspeak to her.”

  “Send your soldiers after her.”

  “Lestin, you know we aren’t allowed to interfere with mortals. Lord Arethus will deliver a message to her about the new entry point.”

  She bit her lip as tears rolled down her cheeks. “There must be another way. If you truly loved her…”

  “I do love her, but there’s nothing I can do.”

  Lestin pressed her lips together and didn’t speak to him for the rest of the day.

  Once at home, Lord Odin went to the crypt of Lord Arethus, where he could speak to him directly.

  “Lord Arethus, I must speak to you.”

  A ghostly image of a man in a long, white robe appeared. “Lord Odin, good to hear from you. Have you heard from the Keeper recently?”

  “No, but the Mentors said she has recovered from her injuries and is in prison, awaiting trial. I must ask you to contact her again and let her know when and where a new entry point will be located.”

  “I will pass the message to her, but I must wait until she calls on me.”

  “Tell her the entry point will appear at Portsmouth Naval Base at the fall solstice in the year 2031. The mortals who were recently shipwrecked on Seaward Isle will be returning at that time, and once they’re through, she can come home.”

  “Splendid.”

  “Thank you, my lord.” Lord Odin bowed and returned to the house. His next task was to deal with the Rock Elves. He didn’t look forward to it.

  Chapter 26