Forbidden Quest

by Alaina Stanford

  Sarah jumped up and rushed over to the rocks where she'd left the book and

  scanned the pages surrounding the tickle spell desperate to find anything to help. "I can't find anything. It HAS to wear off?" She rushed back to them. "Todd? Hold on, just a few seconds more. Concentrate on your breathing, try to take just one slow breath."

  Hopper was oblivious to anything but the torturous laughter the flowed uncontrollably from his mouth.

  Sarah screamed as Hopper began to convulse. "Oh God! Jack, do something! I’m killing him!"

  Jack sprung up and rushed to her side. "I can't read it! You'll just have to take it

  one page at a time."

  Nicole moved slowly toward Hopper as Jack and Sarah raced through the book.

  Taking Hopper by the arm , Nicole gently pulled him to his knees. "Laughter's unusual

  for a troll." She whispered. Her eyes grew glassy and dark. "Trolls and elves have never

  been close friends you know, but I'll help you, Hopper. I won't desert you." Her eyes

  began to brighten and glow the same soft green light as when she arrived. Nicole led

  Hopper toward the pool as she began to sing a whispering lullaby.

  Sarah's scream jolted Nicole back to awareness. The young Sorceress' eyes filled

  with horror as Nicole pushed the nearly unconscious Hopper into the dark frothy water.

  “He'll drown!" Sarah cried rushing toward them. "He's too weak! "

  Hopper's head popped out of the water as Sarah reached the edge of the pond.

  "I'm all right." He gasped, sucking in a deep breath of air. "Thanks to Nicole."

  Jack was in the water beside him in an instant helping the huge troll to the edge of

  the pond. Sarah's waiting arms pulled his massive hulk out of the water and held him

  tight. Taking his large head in her hands, Sarah kissed his huge lips deeply. "Nicole,

  how did you know?" She turned toward the silent elf.

  "Water is a pure element. It dilutes acid, stops chemical reactions, and washes

  away the dust of the earth. It's a cleansing agent what would work better to cure a dark spell?" Nicole answered quietly, surprised at her own words. "You could have killed him Sarah."

  "I didn't realize." Sarah's eyes filled with tears. "Todd, you know I'd never . . ."

  "It's okay, baby." Hopper pulled her to him. "I know you'd never hurt me."

  "Thank you, Nicole.” Sarah reached out and took Nicole's hand. They stood staring at each other as the glow faded from Nicole's eyes.

  “Forget it." Nicole answered, turning away.

  "I'm sorry about what I said." Sarah called after Nicole.

  Nicole spun and flashed a smile that hid her concern over her own mental

  stability before she moved to ready the horses for departure. "We better get moving, we

  don't want to get caught with our backs to the water."

  "She's right." Jack confirmed, reaching out to Hopper and taking hold of his

  shoulder. "You up to it?"

  "Get me on a horse and l'll be fine." Hopper shook his large head violently,

  showering them all with water. "Sorry." He smiled weakly and then escorted Sarah to her

  horse.

  The dark warrior gazed at the small group from across the rolling waters. His

  sapphire eyes showed great astonishment at the sight of the beautiful Sorceress showing

  such devotion to a troll. Perhaps they weren't Puissant's destroyers after all. Staring at

  the young woman his eyes fell to the rocky ground beneath them as thoughts of

  duty pressed him to action. He couldn't let a pretty face and a seemingly compassionate

  heart dissuade him from what must be .

  Jack and Nicole quickly packed the food and supplies as Sarah helped Hopper onto his horse. Fetching the thick tree limb that served as his weapon, Sarah insisted on tying it to Hopper's saddle before mounting her white mare.

  "The map shows a large series of narrow canyons running the entire length of the mountain range." Sarah announced, studying the soft leather parchment. "There's a canyon passage near the crest of the double peak."

  "We’ll have to find some high ground. You can't see the sky through these trees,

  much less a mountain.” Jack said as he headed for the waterfall.

  Climbing the rocks, Jack stood near the edge of the cascading water and gazed over the trees. "There's a double peak just west of here." He yelled.

  "Wonderful! Now anyone in the immediate vicinity knows exactly where we are

  headed." Sarah chided him.

  "Let 'em come." Nicole declared as she swung up on her horse. "I’m ready for a little exercise."

  "How much longer until nightfall?'' Sarah asked.

  Nicole shrugged, "What do you think Barbarian?"

  "Beats me." Jack answered climbing down. "Let's go. I'll take the point."

  They headed into the forest. Working their way through the trees, they searched for any sign of a path leading into the mountains. Nicole sang to the animals and they reappeared to greet her, scampering away when the others came near. The small red fox from that morning appeared suddenly out of a dense thicket. It moved toward Nicole quickly then veered off to one side, disappearing into the trees. Eyes narrowing, Nicole called the party to a halt.

  "We've got company." She announced, as a band of nearly twenty elves on horseback appeared from the far end of the thicket just ahead of them.

  Without hesitation the leader of the elves, a golden haired elf of large stature

  dressed in black chain link armor drew forward raising his sword high above his head. His eyes met Sarah's and he hesitated. Sarah froze, expecting a dark cold glare, she found a pair of warm blue eyes staring back at her.

  "Back!" Jack shouted turning his horse around. The others followed suit, retreating back the way they had come. A shrill war cry pierced the air as the warriors charged. Veering from the path and crashing through the underbrush, Hopper cleared a path with his club for the others to follow. Galloping blindly through the thicket Hopper searched for an easier route in an attempt to gain distance from their attackers and still head toward their goal. The warriors raced toward them, unhindered by the dense line of trees and brush.

  Suddenly a large doe leapt out of the thicket directly in the path of the charging elves. The lead horses, startled by the sudden movement reared, screaming in fright. The instant of confusion slowed their approach, allowing the adventurers to lengthen their lead. Pushing the frightened horses aside, the dark warrior rushed past, continuing the chase. Arrows began to assault the brush around the adventurers as the elves attempted to halt their escape. The small red fox dashed out of the underbrush to race under the legs of their pursuers' horses, sending several more warriors reeling into the thicket. All save the dark leader.

  A hawk flew from the treetops into his face. He swatted it away and pushed on, gaining ground with each stride. The air around the warriors that followed seemed to take form as birds of prey dove out of the sky attacking them. The elves fought to control their horses, urging them forward to try to keep pace with their commander.

  Abruptly Hopper came to a halt as the adventurers cleared the thick trees. "We're

  trapped!" He shouted, motioning toward the rock bluff that stretched out before them.

  They’d fled into a small canyon, concealed by the trees. The sheer wall of the bluff

  Gave no hint of escape. Hopper turned his horse around as Jack cleared the trees and charged back toward the dark warrior.

  “Todd! No! There’s too many!” Sarah screamed as he disappeared.

  Without hesitation Nicole drew her short sword and quickly followed. Hearing the battle cries of the warriors Jack hesitated for only an instant as his mind flashed back to the waterfall and the darkness of the cave. Pushing the reality of the adventure out of his mind Jack surged toward the trees as Sarah struggled to free the spell book f
rom her saddlebag. Drawing his sword as he reached the small clearing where they had left the warriors, Jack found Hopper swinging madly at three large elves attempting to slip past him. Nicole sprang from her horse onto the back of another warrior and drove her short sword through his chest. Then sprang from the horse and sprinted toward a small cluster of warriors heading toward her.

  A movement to his right and caught Jack’s attention as the dark warrior charged him. Meeting the assault, Jack managed to deflect the first blow with his sword, nearly thrown from his saddle by its force. As the elf commander swung his horse around to face him, Jack surged forward yanking hard on the reins. His house screamed, rearing into the dark warrior’s horse. The large elf dove from the saddle as the tan mare’s hooves struck in his wake. Not waiting for the warrior to recover, Jack spun and charged into the last group of elves that had managed to surround Hopper.

  Swinging his sword in a broad arc, Jack issued an impressive war cry as he severed the head of the nearest elf. A young female warrior turned and met Jack's attack carrying only a large staff. Rendering it useless with one blow, Jack raised his sword to strike and hesitated as his eyes focused on the body of the headless elf sprawled out on the ground behind her. Screaming in a rage of an unknown source, Jack turned to face another, leaving the small elf stunned. Slowly, Jack disabled another warrior, leaving him helpless and unarmed, but still alive.

  Suddenly the sky darkened, turning the clearing as dark as a moonless night. The large trees surrounding the clearing dipped and swayed in the fierce wind that arose, sending a giant evergreen crashing into the center of the clearing. A loud roar came from the tangled brush before them, halting the battle in an instant as all eyes turned to face its source. A piercing scream shook the earth as the creature moved forward trampling the giant trees with massive clawed feet as if they were a patch of tall grass. It stood nearly 20 feet, as it rose to its full height. The beast's long snout swayed from side to side between two large menacing horns as it screamed its challenge through needle-like teeth that stretched the full length of a human arm. Covered with long dark brown fur, it was difficult to discern where the creature ended in the darkness.

  The warriors moved quickly away from the adventurers, as their leader fearlessly rushed to meet their new foe. Hopper snatched Nicole from the midst of the elves and tossed her on her horse.

  "Where did that come from?" He asked breathlessly.

  “I don't know." Nicole answered, swinging her leg over the speckled gray's back.

  Sarah appeared at the edge of the clearing as the warriors charged the monster. Galloping to them, she motioned toward the far end of the glen. Moving quickly past the battle, the small group raced into the trees

  "Wait!" Jack yelled, slowing their escape. "That thing . . . we can't just leave

  them to its mercy."

  "They were trying to kill us, Jack!" Nicole challenged, sheathing her sword.

  "If aliens attacked Eastern Europe, don’t you think China and Russia would unite

  against them?"

  "What?" All three stared at him.

  "Forget it Jack. If we came to their rescue they'd turn on us when that thing was

  dead, if we could kill it. Let's get as far away from that creature as possible before it

  decides we are its next snack." Nicole snapped and turned her horse back toward the

  trail.

  "No," Jack reached out and took hold of her arm. "I’m not going to let them die."

  "It's all right, Jack" Sarah smiled, moving toward him. "It won't hurt them."

  "How can you say that? It's huge!" Jack growled and spun his horse back in the

  direction of the battle.

  "It's mine " Sarah added calmly.

  “Yours?" Jack turned back to her.

  "Conjuration, she's my baby." Sarah beamed, triumphantly. "It's a mixture of a Mammoth, gorilla and a saber tooth tiger." Her delighted laughter lightened Jack's

  mood. "She thinks we're her young she's just keeping them busy until we get away."

  "That was fantastic!" Hopper's deep voice penetrated the darkness. "But can you

  bring back the sunlight? It'd be easier to travel if we could see where we're going."

  "Of course," Sarah answered, still smiling at Jack. "It won't hurt them, I made

  sure of that. But it should keep them occupied for a few hours."

  Looking toward the canopy of trees Sarah spoke a few short phrases. A soft

  breeze began to blow, flowing through her long amber hair as a soft yellow glow

  enveloped her. A trickle of light drifted downward through the thick canopy. Hopper's breath quickened at the sight of Sarah, consumed by her magic. Never before had Sarah looked so elegant, so beautiful. He felt stirrings build up inside him he had so carefully kept under control for the last two years. Then Hopper glanced down at his clawed hands and hairy body. His eyes darkened and the stirrings vanished.

  "We don't have much light left." Jack observed quietly. “Let's put some distance

  between us and our friends."

  Chapter Six

  Crickets filled the cool night air with a beckoning song Nicole couldn’t resist . Hopper and Sarah fell asleep nestled together under a large fir tree as the elf silently disappeared into the forest. Nicole wandered effortlessly through the darkness. The sound of a small gurgling brook

  drew her to its sandy banks. Sitting on the edge of a fallen tree she pulled her boots off and thrust her tired feet into the stream. The cold water numbed her aching arches, sending a

  shivering pulse of relief through her small form.

  A shift in the shadows and Nicole became part of the forest, silent and watching. Her dark green eyes focused on the same small red fox that had warned her of the warriors’ attack earlier that same evening. Smiling, she reached out and waited for it to join her.

  Tired of sitting quietly, waiting for some large creature to descend on them from the darkness, Jack rose from his perch at the edge of the small camp. His thoughts went to Nicole, where had she gone? What did she think she was doing? Hadn’t they had enough excitement for one day? Snatching up his sword, Jack headed in the direction he had seen her disappear. One glance at Hopper and Sarah and he vanished into the shadows.

  Jack was determined to find the voluptuous imp and return her to camp, over his shoulder if necessary. She’d been gone for nearly an hour. “Dr. Strong said to stay together.” Jack mumbled under his breath as his foot struck a small rock. It was impossible to predict what could be lurking in the darkness surrounding the camp, just waiting to be discovered. Nicole was foolish to assume their adventure would only take place during the daylight hours. Anyone of them could be easily taken in the darkness and spirited away to lead the others on a chase far from their goal. Jack smiled wickedly as a vision came to him of Nicole’s shapely legs sticking out of the jaws of some hideous creature.

  His smile vanished as he realized if there was a monster it would more than likely spit out her dead body and challenge him to a fight to the death. Another death, another notch on his bloody sword, If he had to kill, then so be it. Still, he’d much rather slay a dragon than another elf. Their deaths had seemed too real.

  “I won’t kill another elf.” Jack announced to the darkness. It was only a game, an illusion. The whole idea of this hypnotic adventure was to insure the experience felt as real as possible . But the way those elves died was too real, too harsh. It took the fun out of the game. He'd never been one to revel in the blood and guts of horror movies. He enjoyed the suspense or action, and a shapely female always helped the lack of a plot.

  Jack forced himself to slow his pace. His eyes searched the darkness spotting a white-faced owl as it took flight deep into the woods. Jack gave in to the sudden urge to follow the creature and moved silently through the trees after it. Hearing the sound of rushing water Jack hesitated, listening for any sign of activity. After all he was a barbarian, it seemed fitting . Jack moved slowly towa
rd the water. It was a small brook, nothing like the pounding falls that had nearly ended his part in this adventure. How had the good doctor managed to give him such a complete sensation of diving? The feeling of cool water on his skin, the sound of the falls from beneath the surface were just too real. He'd even felt the pressure change as he swam to the base of the pond. There must be a pool somewhere in the complex. Stong must have led them to it and allowed Jack to dive into the water.

  The panic and pain when his lungs drew in the water came back to Jack as he breathed in the moist air surrounding the brook. Dr. Strong was no fool. He wouldn't risk being sued by the family of a drowned patient. Jack doubted that Dr. Strong could have described the feeling of drowning to someone unless he had experienced it himself. It was highly unlikely that two out of the seven people involved in this adventure would have experienced the terror of drowning and lived to tell about it. Although it wasn’t something that would come up in ordinary conversation, Jack knew, he knew how it felt.

  He’d nearly died with his father. Yanked off his feet by the steep beaches undertow he’d been taken swiftly away from the shore. Away from the people he loved. His father had found him, deep beneath the salty water and pushed him to the surface, away from the pull of the ocean. But his father never made it to the surface. Jack had lost him forever.

  Jack's father was the hero that convinced him to make the most of his life before it slipped from his grasp . Perhaps Strong somehow managed to tap into that memory and used it. Was he at this very moment exploring their memories for parallels in which to heighten their adventure?

  When the game was over, Jack was going to find out what really happened. If Dr. Strong was taking liberties with his psyche, the prestigious psychologist would be the first to find out if hypnotically induced battle skills carried over to the real world. Shaking off the barbarian persona that sought to overwhelm him, Jack adjusted the sword in his belt and continued toward the brook. He spotted

  movement near a fallen log. His hand went to the hilt of his sword only to relax when he realized it was Nicole.