Forbidden Quest

by Alaina Stanford

  Sitting quietly, stroking the soft fur on the back of a small fox the dark elf turned slowly and smiled up at Jack. Entranced by her sparkling smile and deep green eyes, Jack sat down in the tall grass at her feet. He followed her gaze toward the treetops. A small break in the canopy allowed them a breathtaking view of the star-filled sky. A sense of calm came over Jack as he relaxed on the bank beside her. Following her lead , he removed his boots and sank his feet into the icy water.

  "How did you find me?" Nicole asked, studying his face.

  “I followed an owl." Jack smiled softly. feeling the exhaustion wash over him. Nicole only smiled, her dark eyes twinkling in the pale light . "Who's your friend?" Jack continued, reaching toward the fox.

  Springing from her lap, the small animal scurried off and disappeared into the brush. Nicole's eyes followed it filled with laughter. "I guess he isn’t in a social mood.” She whispered, turning toward him and reaching out to caress his wavy brown hair .

  “But you have been, all day.” Jack reached out to take her hand in his. Jack felt the warmth of her palm brush against his ear as Nicole ran her fingers through his hair.

  “Have I?’ She asked, studying his face.

  “I’ve never seen you so . . . relaxed, so carefree.”

  “Carefree, that’s the perfect word for how I feel.” Nicole answered, her hand exploring the contours of his back as she moved down onto the grass beside him. “All the tension and stress that I’ve carried with me for so long has vanished. I don’t feel that surging force inside me. I’ve always felt driven, impatient for what the next step is supposed to be. As if I should be accomplishing something, striving to better myself, to better world every moment . I actually can’t remember a time when I wasn’t compelled to be the best at everything. Now suddenly, just because I’m here, in this ‘world’, I’m free. Free of my anger, free of my inhibitions, free from the life I’ve worked so hard to build.” Nicole stared up at the stars, shaking her head in wonder. “For the life of me Jack. I can even remember why I was so driven.” Nicole leaned closer and nuzzled his neck, “Why is that Jack? What is it about Dr. Strong and this imaginary world that has finally allowed me to forget all the crap that insisted on building my life around?”

  “Are you so sure Dr. Strong did that” Jack’s eyes narrowed.

  “You think I liberated myself? That I’m taking liberties with my psyche under the mask of this elfin personality?” Nicole smiled at him. “Very deductive, Jack.”

  "Not at all Nicole. You think this is some fantastic game where anything goes. " Jack growled. "You haven’t escaped from anything. You're so hyped on turning this into a million dollar investment, you’ve forgotten that we return to reality in a few hours.”

  “Relax, Jack." Nicole smiled softly as she leaned back against the log.

  "Reality, Nicole. You remember it? It's where you'll have to explain to Tom what you were doing ten seconds ago."

  "Tom . . . that was a mistake, Jack. A big one for both of us.” Nicole turned and stared at him. "I wanted him because he was stable, well educated and had connections in places I couldn't reach. He wanted me because I'm old money and he needs the prestige.” She gazed into his eyes, her smile returned. "But why am I explaining this to you? You've known it all along."

  "I never . . .”

  "You didn't have to, Jack. Tom knew we both did and we didn't care. It's as close to an arranged marriage as you can get without walking down the aisle. "

  The crickets filled the silence between them as they stared into the shadows. The wind rushed over the treetops, bringing with it a dampness that settled over the forest like a cool mist.

  "I have liberated myself, Jack.” She finished.

  “Maybe, you’re always in control, Nicole. I find it hard to believe you’re not holding your own now. Dr. Strong may be guiding this journey, but he can't control every emotion we feel, not for 72 hours straight. He's got to take a break sometime. Our sleeping periods would be the perfect time for him to rest. So, the way I figure it, we're on our own for the next hour or so. What we're feeling now are your own emotions, free from his influence.

  “I've felt different from the moment we arrived here. Maybe it’s the elf character or the expectations of the adventure. I don't know and I don't care. I just hope I can carry this back with me. For the first time in my life I can relax. I can sit and listen, to the crickets, the water, the wind. It doesn’t matter what, all that matters is that I’m sitting still, perfectly still. No impatient, wiggling, twitching or tapping. I wish I could stay here, forever."

  Jack's laughter filled the small clearing silencing the night sounds around them. "You and I have never been in sync. Here you are talking about harmony and contentment and all I feel is skepticism." Jack shook his head sadly. "Dr. Strong's made this seem too real for me. I'm having a hard time dealing with all the bloodshed . . . and your turnabout. I think we're running around the countryside like a band of psychotic killers, slashing and laughing. Jack's smile faded as he leaned forward to snatch a small rock from the bubbling water. "I think we've lost sight of the real adventure."

  "We've reversed roles . " Nicole giggled. She took hold of his shoulder and pulled him gently back. "I was the cautious, dedicated leader and you were the carefree adventurer. Now I’m rushing into unknown encounters, throwing caution aside and you're the one hollering for us to stay on target. "

  "I just don't want anyone to get hurt. If you and Hopper keep running off . . .”

  “Okay, no more charging into the face of danger unless it's absolutely necessary.” Nicole agreed.

  Chuckling at her daughterly tone, Jack conceded and changed the subject. "Do you realize this is the first conversation we've had without arguing."

  "You mean without insulting each other. " Nicole corrected, grinning back at him in the darkness.

  “I've never insulted you." Jack whispered, looking into her dark green eyes.

  Nicole met his stare. "You're right, I guess. I have a habit of considering whatever you say to be an insult because your comments are always so close to the mark. I am here to invest."

  "There's nothing wrong with that.”

  "I know." Nicole ran her fingers down his bare arm and caressed his hand. "Do you think we can be friends when we get back to reality? "

  "What are you going to tell Tom?"

  "The truth, not like the last time.”

  “Then I think we might have a chance. " Jack smiled.

  "I know I'm not the easiest person to get along with." Nicole admitted.

  "Well, that’s certainly true.” Jack answered putting his arm around her.

  " It's just that I feel people should stop whining about their lives and make them into what they want them to be."

  "Instead of treating your life like a big vacation." Jack cut in .

  "You completely frustrate me, Jack. You have no goals, no direction you just float around the world and enjoy yourself contentedly. Your life is completely unstructured. Even so, you’ve always had everything you wanted and a dream of friends who care deeply about you and are always willing to bail you out of any situation you get yourself into."

  Nicole sighed. "It infuriated me and at this moment I have no idea why."

  The pair of adventurers sat quietly on the bank of the narrow brook, listening to the distant cry of the night. A raccoon appeared across the water carrying a small object in its paws. Carefully, it danced across the rocks on the brook toward them. Stopping a few feet away, it surveyed them? Then walked up to Nicole, placed the object in her lap and scampered off. Jack reached over, picked up the delicate oval and examined it.

  "An egg," he frowned, glancing up at Nicole.

  "Breakfast," She declared, smiling back at him.

  “Well you’ll need a few dozen more to make a decent omelet." Jack smiled, "It's not big enough to feed a mouse."

  "She was making a gesture," the dark-eyed elf explained. "She's a friend."

  "Have you receive
d many of these . . . gifts?" Jack chuckled, handing her the tiny blue egg.

  "The birds bring me flowers."

  "That's useful.”

  Nicole smiled and glanced around, “Look, there through the trees. "

  "What?" Jack sat upright, reaching for his sword.

  " It's the doe that helped us escape."

  Seeing the faint image of a deer in the shadows, Jack relaxed back against the log. The crickets continued their serenade. Nicole pointed out the night creatures as they rushed to fulfill their needs. A sudden flutter caught their attention as the white-faced owl came to light on the hollow log behind them.

  “That's my buddy. " Jack explained.

  The small owl cocked its head to one side and dropped a dead field mouse into Jack's lap then flew into the darkness.

  Jack lifted the small sacrifice up by the tail and waited patiently for Nicole to stop laughing.

  "A token of my esteem, My Lady." He handed her the mouse. Accepting the gift , Nicole tossed it high into the air. The owl swept out from the trees, snatched it up and disappeared.

  Staring after the tiny predator, as it vanished in the darkness, Nicole's thoughts went to her other self. After a moment she turned back to Jack and smiled, softly. She knew why Nicole Waters was angry with Jack. His blue eyes, bright smile and quick wit were exactly what she needed but didn't want. She cooed softly, reaching out to caress his bare shoulder. "Did you ever wonder what it would be like to kiss a wild woodland elf?"

  "What?" He stared into her eyes.

  "Woodland elves are sisters to the woodland nymphs. Wouldn’t you like to experience the kiss of a magical nymph?"

  " I ' m not sure what you're asking . . .”

  Nicole leaned against him in the darkness. The wind blew softly, flowing through her long black hair. "The thought has crossed your mind. Hasn't it, Jack?" She whispered, slipping her arms around his narrow waist. “Tell me, Jack.”

  “Nicole . . ." Jack growled, stiffening.

  " I've thought about it, Jack. I never would have admitted that as Nicole Waters. But here in this world Nicole Waters doesn't exist. Only a woodland elf, one who wants to know what it's like to feel the warmth of your body close to hers.” Nicole nestled against him, brushing her lips across his throat.

  "Remember reality Nicole?" Jack cautioned.

  "Didn't you ever wonder what it would be like to make love to me, Jack?"

  Jack grabbed Nicole’s arms by the wrists and pushed her back from him. "Reality," he growled.

  "I haven't forgotten it, Jack. " She meeting his angry gaze “It’s over with Tom. I’m done pretending.”

  Jack's arms surrounded her as he pulled her against him.

  An uncontrollable fever ran through Nicole's small form. They fell back onto the grass clinging to one another. Jack's lips traced the outline of Nicole's throat moving down to the softness of her breasts as he unbuttoned her vest. Nicole arched her back and pulled him closer.

  "Stay with me tonight, Jack.” She whispered, breathlessly.

  Jack gazed into her eyes as he brushed a strand of ebony hair from her cheek and whispered, "I'm not going anywhere.”

  Hopper gently separated himself from the slumbering sorceress he'd held throughout. the night. Smiling down at her, he rose and grimaced as his long spine snapped and crackled. Glancing around for Nicole and Jack, he found a pile of large red and purple berries on their food satchel near the cold embers of their fire. Snatching a handful he kissed Sarah gently on the forehead and growled softly in her ear. "There's mischief afoot, Sorceress. I do believe a band of crazed fairies set upon us whilst we slept."

  Her eyes popped open, startled by his words and the deep tone of his voice. "Fairies?" She gasped, sitting up, confused.

  "Fruit fairies to be exact. " His deep voice answered.

  "What are you talking about?"

  "Nicole and Jack gathered some berries for us." His large crooked smile met her eyes. He opened her hand and filled it with the smooth round berries, popping several in his mouth. “They're sweet and juicy."

  Following his lead, she tried the colorful fruit , surprised at her appetite. "Where are our two protectors?” She asked, jumping up to help herself to more.

  “Beats me. They'll turn up. Let's find some place to wash up." Hopper responded.

  "Good idea and the horses could use some water." Sarah said as she grabbed another handful of the berries and headed for their mounts.

  Hopper led the horse into the trees following after Sarah. At the bottom of a small rise

  they found Jack leaning against a hollow log, half dressed and sound asleep. Todd cleared his throat loudly and nudged Jack in the side with his foot.

  "I was wrong about the fairies, Sarah. It looks like our benefactors were more of the nymph variety." Hopper said with a grin.

  Startled by their presence, Jack sat up quickly and glanced around for Nicole. Finding no sign of her, he stared up at his smiling companions. "I was . . .uh . . . the fire was too hot.”

  "Oh yeah, that's a common phenomenon in the forest at night." Hopper explained seriously with a wink at Sarah.

  Taking the horses downstream Hopper released them and waded into the rushing water to splash his face. Sarah sat at the edge of the brook, next to Jack and scooped up a handful to do the same.

  "Whoa!" She gasped, releasing the icy water. Shaking the residue from her hands,, she dabbed lightly at her face with what little moisture remained. A shrill whistle came from behind them. Nicole's speckled stallion turned and trotted up the slope followed closely by the other horses.

  "Jane of the jungle, no doubt." Jack muttered, pulling on his boots.

  The trio arrived at the camp site to find Nicole stuffing their food satchel with a variety of roots and nuts. She motioned for them to hurry, then quickly threw one blanket after another onto the horse's backs. Tossing Hopper his club as he neared, Nicole nodded toward the east. "The warriors are moving in this direction. We're about an hour ahead of them.”

  Hopper quickly saddled the horses as the others gathered up their belongings and scattered the remains of the fire. Sarah pulled her book of incantations out of her saddlebag and tied it onto her saddle horn. A few minutes later the small group was heading deeper into the mountains. They moved up toward the crest of the nearest rise hoping to find a trail that would take them across the ridge and into the valley beyond.

  By midday they were heading down into the valley below with no sign of pursuit. The bright sun that warmed them despite the cool mountain air disappeared suddenly into thick gray clouds. A thick layer of fog crept across the forest floor and down into the glen below. The

  dim light and thick fog increased the difficulty of locating the fortress. There were no roads or even small a dirt path to assist them. Only an unnatural silence. Not a sound came from the forest around them. No animal calls or bird song. Not even the flutter of wings or the buzz of insects could be heard.

  They descended into the dark glen and the wind disappeared, the ominous silence that followed caused the adventurer to slow their pace. Even the footsteps of their horses were swallowed by the soft moist ground and the dark spreading mist. The beautiful silver trees became gnarled and twisted, their gleam turning to a tarnished gray. The underbrush became thick and unyielding they had to retrace their steps several times in the growing bleakness. Their moods darkened with the sky. No one spoke. Hopper urged his horse closer to Sarah's as they reached the base of the forest valley.

  "Look there," Sarah pointed to a tiny shack that had fallen into decay. “Could that be it?"

  Moving toward it, they dismounted a few yards away and stood staring at the decrepit ruin. It was little more than a storage shed. It had only one door, no windows and a roof of rotten wooden slats.

  Jack shook his head, “This can't be it. Dr. Strong described it a stronghold."

  "And it stinks! " Hopper added, wrinkling his nose at the overwhelming stench that flowed from the shack.

&
nbsp; "This is it." Nicole said moving forward. "I can feel the magic."

  "All I feel is nausea." Hopper grumbled, backing away. "It smells like something died in there."

  “Something probably did.” Sarah added, quietly. "But I feel something too. A glimmer of warmth, like I felt when I cast those spells.”

  "We'll never know unless we take a look inside." Nicole said declared reaching for the broken door that hung precariously from a rusty hinge.

  Jack stepped in front of her, “I should go first."

  “All right, barbarian,” Nicole smiled wickedly and stepped aside.

  Staring into her eyes, Jack was startled to find they were glowing. "Are you alright?" He asked, reaching for her.

  "Fine." She answered, brushing his hand aside.

  The instant she touched him the night before came, rushing into his mind. The scent of her, the softness of her skin. The sensations of making love by the edge of the brook sent him staggering backward as he fought to maintain control. Her touch had lasted but an instant and Nicole gave no indication, no acknowledgment of the encounter.

  Nicole stared at him, waiting. Forcing himself to concentrate on the task at hand, Jack pushed the thoughts from his head, yanked open the half hinged door and stepped inside. Darkness and the stench of death greeted him. Jack turned with a devilish smile and motioned for the others to follow. Nicole pulled her short sword free and entered. Sarah opened her book of magic, grabbed Hopper by the front of his fur vest and pulled him in behind her.

  "There's nothing in here," Hopper growled in the darkness.

  "How can you tell? " Jack said, unable to see any of them once they cleared the outline of the door.

  "I'm a troll? I can see in the dark," Hopper explained impatiently, snatching a torch from the debris of what appeared to be a rotted table and chairs scattered throughout the small shack. He raised it out in front of him and said, "Sarah, I ' m holding a torch, can you light it?"

  Turning toward the sound of his voice, she began to chant the spell Nicole had taught her. The torch flared and glowed with a bright purple light as did two others on the far wall. The two small tar soaked torches stood on either side of a small doorway that wasn't quite tall enough for Nicole to pass through without ducking.