Though insisting she felt fine and wanting to know how she had ended up in the museum, Lucy was finally convinced to see a doctor to get the bump on her head examined. Mr. Jordan asked someone at the museum to drive her there as he had another urgent appointment to keep. Mina would have taken Lucy to the doctor’s office herself, but since Mr. and Mrs. Jordan were so evasive about where Artemas and their two other children had gone, she decided to stay and find out.
“I know mystery surrounds that man,” Mina said. “He was still vague about telling me where he lived when we talked in the park on New Year’s Eve. And he can spin giant pieces of candy in midair, for heaven’s sake! But he said he hoped our friendship could continue once a certain matter was put to rest.” Mina Mayfield gazed at Sam and Sally Jordan with a mix of fear and worry in her eyes. “What matter was he talking about? Please let me know. I do value Artemas’ friendship, as brief as it has been.”
Mr. Jordan glanced at his wife, knowing they didn’t have time to stand in the museum lobby and explain the history of the timedoor, Endora and Belthasar to her. “Our backs are to the wall, so there’s only one way to resolve this matter,” he said. “You’ll have to come with us, Mina, and see for yourself.”
Mina smiled gratefully, though unable to imagine what lay in store for her.
Before they left, Mrs. Jordan telephoned a neighbor to look after Magic while they were away, then the four of them departed. Vergil hoped that King Rupert and Queen Eleanor were going to throw another party in their castle.
“Parties in a castle? Kings and queens? Quite an active imagination your son has,” Mina commented as they piled into the car.
“That’s just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll see shortly,” Mrs. Jordan replied with a restrained grin.
As they departed, the lone figure in the museum lobby watched them from the main doors and rushed outside, determined to follow.
Mina lightly pinched her arm amid the darkness and the splash of stars, wondering if she would awake from a fantastic dream. She had felt slightly confused earlier when Mr. Jordan parked his car in the empty lot near the restaurant on the side of the road, then shortly after led his wife, young son and herself up the road and through the snow to the area underneath an old bridge stretching across the river. She was flabbergasted when he had casually said that they were going to step through a stone wall and take a trip to Artemas’ world.
“Finland is definitely not in that direction!” Mina had breathlessly replied in the chilly air.
Now Mina Mayfield didn’t know what to think as she apparently walked through space and time, suddenly noticing a faint light ahead, and shortly afterward stepping into a stone room with a fireplace and a coat tree, tables laden with parchment scrolls and potions, and everywhere and anywhere bunches and bunches of–roses?
“Where exactly are we again?” Mina asked Mr. Jordan, holding her chin with one hand and gazing wide-eyed around the castle chamber.
“You are in the kingdom of Endora!” King Rupert proudly said a short time later. They sat around a table in one of his private chambers and enjoyed some spiced apple bread and cinnamon tea that was hastily prepared in the early morning hour. A crackling fire warmed them and freshly cut pine branches tied in small bundles with colorful ribbons hung on the walls, peppering the room with an invigorating scent of the forest.
“Where is this Ulric gentleman now?” an astonished Mina asked after everyone took turns explaining about the origin of the timedoor, the geography of Endora and Solárin, and the deviously scheming spirit of Belthasar.
“My chief guard Ulric and two of his men left a short time ago for the Inn of the Twelve Horses. Christopher and Molly accompanied them,” the King replied. “They are searching for Artemas as we speak. Or rather for Belthasar. Or is it…? Well, they are searching at any rate!”
“Let’s follow them!” Mr. Jordan said after the King gave details about Artemas’ first mysterious note.
“I know you’re anxious to see your children, Sam, but they are quite safe,” he said while slicing off another piece of apple bread. “The inn is close to the third outpost. Ulric will send word as soon as he learns something. Trust me.”
“Of course we trust you,” Mrs. Jordan said. “It’s just that whenever our children gallop off on another adventure somewhere in your kingdom, well, you know their track record for landing in a tight spot.”
“And for always getting out of one,” Mr. Jordan reminded her.
“True,” she admitted with a slight smile. “I suppose we can wait a while longer for word to arrive back. They shouldn’t run into any trouble at an inn, right?”
To her delight, the wait wasn’t terribly long. A few hours after sunrise, a carrier pigeon from the first outpost had flown into the castle aviary, relaying a message that originated at the third outpost near the Inn of the Twelve Horses.
“It is from Ardon, one of six soldiers that Ulric secretly sent ahead to the inn as a lookout and backup team,” King Rupert explained. He found Mr. and Mrs. Jordan, Vergil and Mina wandering in one of the castle courtyards and hurried with the message to them as soon as it arrived.
“What does it say?” Mina asked.
King Rupert cleared his throat and read the message scrawled on a slip of rolled up parchment.
Ulric and his team traveling along Gray River to Willow Lake, still in pursuit of Artemas. My men and I will follow in secret. Will send further word if possible. Ardon
“Where’s Willow Lake?” Vergil asked, imagining a day at the beach. “Can we go?”
“No, honey,” his mother said, eyeing King Rupert with a frozen stare. “Now why are they going to a lake? And why is Artemas going there? And in this weather!”
“All very good questions,” the King said, noting the uneasiness in Mrs. Jordan’s demeanor. “But Ardon did say he would send further word.”
“If possible,” Mina said, quoting the note.
“True, true,” he replied, pacing about the courtyard. “But Ardon is a reliable soldier, so I won’t be surprised if we receive another message very soon. However,” he quickly added, seeing that Mrs. Jordan and Mina were about to interrupt him, “if we don’t hear anything by early afternoon, then I shall send out several scouting parties to assess the situation. Agreed?”
Everyone agreed, and then they spent some time wandering about the castle to while away the hours, though Christopher, Molly and Artemas’ safety was always on their minds. Around noontime they were invited to lunch with King Rupert, Queen Eleanor and Emma in a small dining area awash in the gray light of day. Mrs. Jordan remarked how they had just celebrated New Year’s Eve in their own world and were doing so again now, though with much heavier hearts.
“I look forward more to the arrival of springtime tomorrow than I do to the brand new year itself,” Queen Eleanor said. “After a long and dreary winter, there is nothing like the scent of fresh bayla blossoms or the sound of honeybees among the flowers on the edge of a grassy field.”
“We’re a few months away from that in our world,” Mina replied. “This is a lovely respite from the snow back home. I hope Artemas can find the time to show me around your world, providing that we can find him. I wish I knew where he was.”
Less than an hour later, King Rupert provided them a stunning answer when a member of his guard rushed in with another message from the aviary.
“Sorry to interrupt your lunch, King Rupert, but this was just delivered,” he said, handing him the note.
“Thank you,” the King said as the man hurried back to his post.
“Good news?” Mr. Jordan inquired as King Rupert scanned the piece of parchment. “Another message from Ardon?”
“No,” he replied, sighing. “But it is from one of the other six men.” He looked up, his eyes darkened with dismay. “Trouble is brewing, I’m afraid.”
“I knew it!” Mrs. Jordan whispered, setting down her fork. Her appetite vanished. “Please read us the note, King Rupert.”
&nb
sp; “Of course,” he said, glancing at his wife for encouragement before diving into the dreadful contents.
Belthasar is at Three Frogs with trolls. Other trolls are going to the Alorian River. Will send word to King Jeremiah where to intercept them. The boy Christopher set them up and is safe. He returned to Three Frogs area with Ardon. They will search for Ulric, Garrin, Collus and the girl Molly. The foursome was last seen in a battle with Belthasar’s trolls. They may be captives. Will return to the castle at once with a more detailed assessment. Tandrak
“When will I ever learn to stop letting Christopher and Molly wander through that timedoor?” Mrs. Jordan said, trying to put on a brave face.
Mr. Jordan gently took his wife’s hand and smiled. “They’ve been in worse spots, dear. We’ll find them.”
“I know,” she said.
“And I know my next move,” King Rupert stated, pounding a fist on the table. “We’re going to Three Frogs and confront that blasted Belthasar once and for all! I am beyond infuriated with that nuisance. I shall muster the troops at once.”
“Just save an extra horse for me,” Mr. Jordan said.
“Make that two,” Mrs. Jordan added.
“You’ll ride with me, Sally,” her husband replied. “We’ll find our children together.”
“With me, too?” Vergil asked.
“You will stay here with Queen Eleanor and Emma, young man,” his mother said, glancing up at the two women. “Would you mind?”
“We’d love to,” Emma said.
“But you’ll still need that second horse, your highness,” Mina informed King Rupert. “I’m going with you.”
“Now, Miss Mina, I must strongly advise you against that. For one thing–”
“With all due respect, King Rupert, I was brought up on a farm and can raise, groom and ride a horse in my sleep,” she bluntly stated. “I can also nail an ace of diamonds dead center with a single rifle shot at two hundred yards without thinking twice about it. I am quite prepared for this journey in every way. So now, will you show me to the stables?”
“I guess that settles that,” Queen Eleanor said with a grin.
King Rupert raised an eyebrow and adjusted the crown on his head of silver hair, glancing at Mr. Jordan. “What is it exactly about the women on your side of the timedoor?” he softly inquired.
In less than two hours, King Rupert assembled three hundred of his soldiers outside the castle, ready to make the trek to Three Frogs. Though they were only a small portion of his army, the King felt he had more than enough men to counter any trouble Belthasar might send their way. They headed northwest, directly toward Three Frogs, traveling across the deserted plains.
“So this is what the journey must have been like for Christopher and Molly on their first adventure five years ago,” Mrs. Jordan said as the horses marched along the uneven terrain. Gray clouds blotted out the mid-afternoon sun as a slight breeze swept through tall grass. “No roads in sight going this way!”
“Now you’ll have your own fascinating story to tell our grandchildren,” her husband said, sitting in front of her and holding onto the reins.
“How long until we reach Three Frogs?” Mina asked King Rupert, riding beside him.
“A few hours,” he replied, glancing back at the lines of men and horses. Several green, silver and yellow banners hoisted among the ranks flapped proudly in the wind. “In the meantime, enjoy the grasslands and the approaching mountains as you ride. One can’t ask for a lovelier view.”
At that same moment, a lone figure curiously watched the passing army through Artemas’ telescope high atop his chamber balcony, wondering where to go and what to do next.
Nearly four hours had passed by the time King Rupert’s soldiers and supplies had arrived at the edge of the grassy plains. Beyond stretched a vast expanse of bare rock, and sitting in the near distance like a sleeping vulture stood the Three Frogs formation. The King climbed off his horse to meet with his top commanders.
“We’ll set up camp here and send out teams of scouts along the edge of the plains to encircle the entire area around Three Frogs,” he ordered, sweeping a finger across the landscape. “I want Ulric and the others located as soon as possible and Belthasar trapped. He must not escape!”
Mr. and Mrs. Jordan and Mina approached the King shortly after he had met with his men. A flurry of activity commenced as soldiers set up tents and built campfires in the remaining daylight.
“I was hoping we could tag along with one of the scouting parties,” Mr. Jordan requested. “At least me anyway.”
“I want to go, too!” his wife insisted.
King Rupert flailed his arms before Mina could add her request to the mix. “I’m sorry, but I have to insist this time that each of you remain here with me. My scouts know how to do their job swiftly and in secrecy. And with all due respect,” he gently continued, “they don’t need you tagging along and slowing them down.”
“But our children are–”
“No, no, no!” he sputtered. “Not another word on the subject. I am King after all, and I’m putting my foot down this time.” He sighed, his eyes filled with concern for the plight of his friends. “I know how worried you must be. I truly do. I remember the agony I went through when Rosalind had been kidnapped. But trust me–my men know what they’re doing. They will send me reports, and I promise to let you in on even the tiniest detail whenever one reaches my ear.” He clapped his hands and tried to smile. “My tent should be up by now, so will you join me for a quick bite to eat? Some food in our stomachs should help us think more rationally.”
Then he bounded off to his tent with Mr. and Mrs. Jordan and Mina reluctantly following.
An hour later after full darkness had settled in, Mr. Jordan tossed a piece of wood on a small fire several yards away from their tent. He stood and stared into the flames, his face hardened with concern. His wife and Mina each sat on a folded blanket, warming their hands in front of the snapping blaze. The clouds began to break up and a few stars peeked out as soldiers moved about in the distance attending to their duties.
“Sit down, Sam,” his wife said. “You’ll think yourself into a trance.”
“I don’t care. Our children are out there. Waiting by this fire is not going to bring them back.”
“Perhaps King Rupert is right,” Mina added. “We should wait for the scouts to return.”
Mr. Jordan sat next to his wife and looked about. No one else was near at hand. “I’m going after them!” he whispered. “If I just stand around, then I might as well have stayed back at the castle.”
“It’s too dangerous,” Mrs. Jordan said. “Now that it’s dark out, I think the King knew what he was talking about.” Mina nodded in agreement.
“Many of the soldiers are still pitching tents,” he said, keeping his voice low. “I’m sure I can find a spare sword lying about to borrow.”
“Borrow?”
“I don’t plan to attack the trolls, honey. Just do a little bit of scouting myself,” he said. “I’d like to get a closer look at that Three Frogs monument. I should be able to sneak off easily enough.”
“I’ll go with you,” Mina said. “I’m terribly worried about Artemas.”
“Then count me in too,” Mrs. Jordan added, realizing that her husband’s mind was already made up. “We should circle about the tall grass for a while before heading toward Three Frogs. In this darkness, who’s going to see us?”
“So what are we waiting for?” Mr. Jordan said. “Let’s casually roam about and see if we can find a weapon, then we’ll wander from the campfires and disappear.” His wife and Mina excitedly nodded in agreement. “I have a good feeling about this plan!”
King Rupert raised his arms in excitement a half hour later when two soldiers from one of the scouting parties had returned so soon. They informed the King in his tent that they had run into Ulric, Christopher, Garrin, Collus and four of the men he had sent ahead to the inn.
“They were on the edge of t
he plains, sir, north of Three Frogs,” one of the scouts breathlessly said. He and the other scout had sprinted back to the encampment.
“Ulric informed us that Ardon was on his way to meet them and that Artemas and the girl Molly should be with him,” the second scout reported.
“Wonderful news!” King Rupert said, bursting out of his tent. “Find the Jordans and Miss Mina and send them to me, then get something to eat. A job well done!”
An instant later the scouts departed.
Twenty minutes after, they returned, shrugging their shoulders.
“What do you mean you can’t find them?” King Rupert inquired. “They have to be here!”
“We’ve looked around the encampment several times, sir, but there is no sign of the Jordans or Miss Mayfield,” the scout replied. “We even enlisted the assistance of several other soldiers. They’re gone!”
“Impossible! Search again! Search again!” King Rupert cried, scratching his head and furrowing his brow as the red-orange light from the blazing campfires cast a devilish glow upon his face. “Where would they have gone?”
CHAPTER TWENTY
The Climb
Christopher, Molly and Artemas gazed up at Fennic on top of Three Frogs, his eyes tinged with gray as Belthasar’s spirit whirled inside him. The sight of Mr. and Mrs. Jordan and Mina standing next to him while surrounded by a clump of brutish trolls proved heartbreaking. Pale dawn crept in from the east, revealing the obvious concern of King Rupert, Ulric and the other soldiers gathered in a semicircle around the eastern side of the rock formation. A handful of troll guards stood at attention near the base of Three Frogs on each side.
The Endora Trilogy (The Complete Series) Page 64
