Fate (Inner Space Adventures Book 1)

by J B Forest

  “I have to leave now Granddad. There are some things in my texts back in my office that I’d like to compare to this story and I need to prepare for tomorrow’s classes. I’ll try to come back to see you in a couple of days, maybe we’ll be able to have our conversation then.” She kissed her grandfather on the cheek, waved to Sandy and the receptionist on the way out and drove thoughtfully back to campus. The envelope with the contents of her unbelievable family history was tucked safely in her briefcase in the passenger seat of her car.

  She spent most of the afternoon pouring through her own notes, old lecture notes, and even texts that she kept from her coursework trying to validate this wild tale with events documented in the folklore and legends of the British Isles. She even browsed through the old stories of the ill-fated love between ‘Tristan and Isolde’. Was it possible that the genesis of the story evolved from her Fae ancestor? It was all so unbelievable, but yet the more she read, the more she became convinced that the similarities were too close to be coincidence.

  She wondered if she was truly the person in her family to carry the Fae traits. Outside of the weird feeling that she had the other night, Taylor couldn’t remember experiencing any paranormal or extrasensory types of feelings. She had so many questions for her grandfather; she just hoped that he would regain his memory before something else occurred. She hoped that he would be able to explain what it meant to possess the Fae traits. Was she going to suddenly begin to hear voices or see things that other people couldn’t, was she going to get some special super powers, it was all a bit unnerving and without more information from her grandfather, she found herself at a loss.

  She finally put all the notes and books away and decided to lock her grandfather’s letter in her office safe. There was no sense in leaving that type of information unsecured. That type of information in the wrong hands could cause untold problems. Taylor decided that until she could speak with her grandfather, it would be counter-productive to try to second guess any of the answers.

  Her life began to settle back to normal after a few days. She lectured in her classes as planned, got in a few good workouts during the week, had a lunch date with some colleagues in her department, and even had a long phone conversation with David one evening. She did not mention the events surrounding her newly uncovered status. She wasn’t quite sure whether he would be able to accept such a story as fact or not. David was an avid scholar of the Greek and Roman myths, but he was also pretty grounded in reality. To him, the myths were just stories told by people to explain things that they didn’t understand and they had no basis in reality.

  She checked on her grandfather’s status on a regular basis. Even though he would regain his faculties from time to time, the lucidity did not last long. Her mother called to find out about the visit. Taylor just mentioned that her grandfather’s condition was unstable when she arrived and they didn’t get to have their conversation. She knew that her grandfather would never want to share the information with his daughter. Taylor’s mom had never believed in his stories, even as a child.

  Two weeks passed without any change in status and the excitement about the prospect of a faerie ancestor was relegated to very low priority. There were more pressing matters, like preparing for daily lectures and grading term papers. The weather was beginning to get slightly cooler which meant that her long distance runs weren’t so unbearable. She had just completed a ten mile run one evening, it was still too hot to run in the middle of the day or afternoon, when her phone rang. She noticed that the caller ID was from her grandfather’s facility.

  “Hello,” she said tentatively. She hoped that everything was okay with her grandfather. Unexplained phone calls always made her a little nervous.

  “Is this Taylor Simon?” the voice inquired.

  “Yes, it is.”

  “This is Sandy from the nursing home. I’m one of your grandfather’s nurses.”

  “Yes Sandy, I remember you. We spoke during my last visit.”

  “Yes, we did. I was calling to deliver a message from your grandfather. His condition has re-stabilized and he wanted me to call to see if you could stop by to visit tonight.”

  Taylor was so relieved that everything was okay and glad to hear that her grandfather’s condition was improved. “It would take me at least an hour to get there. I just finished a run and need to take a quick shower. Would it be okay if I came so late?”

  “Well, visiting hours are technically over at 8pm, however, since we never know when or how long your grandfather will remain lucid, I’m willing to make an exception. Just ask for me when you get to the receptionist’s desk.”

  “I really appreciate your kindness. I will be there as quickly as I can.”

  “That’s fine, I don’t mind and Mr. Duncan is such an exemplary patient that we don’t mind bending the rules a little for his sake. Did you want me to call your mother as well? I’m sure she would like to hear the good news.”

  “Why don’t we wait until I arrive and see my grandfather before we call my mother? She tends to get a little worked up about things sometimes.”

  “I’ll leave the decision to you then. Again, just ask for me when you arrive. My last name is Boudreaux.”

  “Thanks again, see you soon.” Taylor didn’t take the time to try to digest the news. She quickly entered her apartment, littering her bedroom floor with discarded running clothes as she made her way to the shower. She was back in her car within fifteen minutes on her way to see her grandfather. During the fifteen minute drive, she tried to put together the key facts and formulated questions that she had for her grandfather. Of course, the questions that she had carefully prepared were tucked safely away in her office at campus. There was no time to retrieve them. She didn’t want to delay meeting her grandfather in case his condition worsened again.

  She had never visited the facility this late before. The front of the main building sported the classic Acadian architecture with a high pitched roof, wide porch or veranda as they say in the South, well stocked with high-backed, wooden rocking chairs. Spanish moss hung down in thick clumps from the mature oaks scattered throughout the front lawn. The property covered several acres and was nestled on the banks of the Prien Lake. The main building contained the administrative offices, common areas, and rooms for those residents who required constant attention and assistance. The more independent residents were assigned to cottages which were spread throughout the property. The layout resembled a garden apartment community.

  The old oaks covered in moss made things a little eerie this late at night. There were large spotlights placed in the ground near the oaks. The shadows cast by the lights seemed to dance in the moonlight. Taylor’s imagination was in overdrive, she could just imagine groups of faeries coming out to greet her. Of course, she didn’t really know what faeries looked like. The descriptions ranged from tiny winged beings like ‘Tinkerbell’ to more human-like beings who cast an aura so powerful that they were almost impossible to look upon with the human eye. Taylor smiled at her own musings. With her luck, her ancestor would turn out to be some ogre-like being that was probably a cross between the Cyclops and the Frankenstein monster.

  She parked as close as possible to the front door, locked her car, and entered the deserted lobby. Before she could inquire, the receptionist told her that she could go straight to the nurse’s station near her grandfather’s room. They were already notified to expect her and Sandy was waiting. She thanked the receptionist and made her way down the hallway.

  She was glad that her loafers didn’t make much noise as she walked. Everything seemed to be shut down for the night. There was no activity in the common areas and the sounds of sleeping residents could be heard as she passed the rooms. The soft tones of television programs wafted out of a handful of rooms, but the majority of the facility seemed to be fast asleep. The nurses on duty went about their activities with a practiced silence and the muted conversations of the staff couldn’t be heard unless you were standing right next t
o them.

  Sandy came around the nurse’s station and greeted her with a silent handshake and smile. “I’m so glad you could make it,” she whispered. “Your grandfather has been so anxious and concerned that you wouldn’t be able to come over.”

  “Thanks again, for your help. Is he doing okay?”

  “No problem at all dear. I’m sure he’ll be much better now that you’re here. I was beginning to worry that he would make himself sick from his eagerness to see you.”

  Sandy quietly tapped on the door. “Mr. Duncan? Your granddaughter Taylor is here.” She turned to Taylor, “I’ll leave you two alone now. Let me know if you need anything.”

  Taylor squeezed the nurse’s hand and thanked her again for her assistance.

  Chapter 10 – Elven Lands – Ljosar Realm

  The caretakers arrived with a steaming pot of porridge and a jug of fresh milk well before dawn. They cleared the dishes from the previous evening and asked if additional services were required before departing as quietly as they appeared. Laosx brewed one of his famous tea blends and the two elves were finishing their second cup when their breakfast arrived. Connak and Laosx packed their belongings, cleaned their dishes, and tidied the house in preparation for their departure. “No need to have our hosts think that we are ungrateful and sloppy guests,” remarked Connak as he took a last look around their living quarters.

  “I was awakened last night with an ominous feeling,” Connak said as he sat down to await the arrival of the Ljosar.

  Laosx closed his bag and sat across from his friend. “What do you mean by ominous feeling?”

  “The feeling of impending doom was almost overwhelming. It woke me from a deep sleep. I suspect that things are about to become much more serious and disastrous than we suspected. I could feel something in the pit of my stomach, a rending or tearing. I felt no actual pain, but the feeling of discomfort was real. I am at a loss to explain what it means other than the fact that it cannot be good for any of the worlds within Inner Space. We must speak to the Ljosan High Council as soon as possible and quickly convince them to join our ranks to fight this unknown foe before irreparable damage is done. I only hope that I have a better idea of who or what our enemy is by the time that we reach Cidrean.”

  “Friend, our burden is heavy; yours more so since you feel it physically. I will do everything in my power to assist you in this task. It is imperative that we convince the Ljosan High Council to help us for I too feel that the Svartar cannot be successful alone.”

  “My senses are becoming keener, but I am still unable to grasp the true meaning of these feelings. However, I am almost sure that the Unseelie Fae are behind this evil.”

  Before they could discuss the subject any further, Glarald and Aleesia arrived. Connak answered their knock on the door and welcomed them inside. “Greetings,” said Glarald. “I trust you rested well.”

  “We did, thank you,” replied Connak. “Both dinner and breakfast were very satisfying, please thank the caretakers for us,” Laosx added.

  “I will pass on your message to them,” responded Glarald. Aleesia cleared her throat to refocus their attention. “I thought it best if we started our journey before full daylight. We have a solid day’s journey and I suspect that you did not want to travel at a leisurely pace. I will be outside preparing the mounts for departure.” She then pivoted and left them standing.

  “So much for pleasantries,” chuckled Glarald.

  Connak smiled, “I must admit that she is correct, we need to proceed quickly. Time is of the essence and dallying will not get us to Cidrean any quicker.”

  “Did I detect a slight smirk in her demeanor before she left us so abruptly,” asked Laosx.

  “I believe that was wishful thinking on your part,” replied Glarald. “Aleesia is definitely a no- nonsense individual.”

  Glarald said his farewells to the Svartans and wished them well on their journey. He left them to make their final preparations for departure and checked with Aleesia to make sure that all was in order.

  “Aleesia, do you have everything you need for journey?” he asked. “I have a feeling that the Svartans’ errand is one of grave importance. We must do what we can to aid them in their mission. I drafted a message for the senior officers at any of the garrisons you pass on your journey. Hopefully this message with my seal will diffuse any trouble that you may encounter. Not everyone will welcome your traveling companions and accept their story as you and I.”

  “This note will be helpful, otherwise I will be forced to persuade our fellow Ljosans with my bow,” replied Aleesia as she stowed the note in her saddle bag. She mounted her horse and turned back to Glarald. “Thank you for the opportunity, I too agree that this journey is important.”

  Connak and Laosx stepped outside at that moment, placed their belongings across their horses and mounted quickly. Connak reached down and grasped Glarald’s forearm and thanked him again for the hospitality and understanding. He then motioned to Aleesia to lead the way.

  Glarald watched the trio ride away and a feeling of remorse overcame him. “I have a feeling that none of our lives will be the same,” he said softly to himself. He then made his way back to the outpost headquarters building.

  Aleesia informed them that the journey to Cidrean normally took three days but with a fast pace, few breaks, and riding after sunset, they would reach the outskirts of the Ljosan capital by midnight on the second day. They all agreed to proceed with the accelerated pace. Both Aleesia and Laosx applied a generous portion of the sun blocking ointment on their exposed skin before beginning the journey. Even Connak wore a hood and a long-sleeved garment as protection from the harsh rays of the Ljosan sun.

  They spoke very little as they proceeded on their journey and stopped only long enough to water and feed the horses and allow themselves nature breaks. They ate bits of fruit and nuts while in the saddle. All three were lost in their own thoughts.

  Laosx tried to absorb as much as possible about the country side as they raced over the terrain. Unlike the lush surroundings of the Reasuir forest, they travelled on a vast grassy plain with few trees scattered throughout. The wildflowers however, were more plentiful than before. He no longer perceived the light-hearted feeling that he did on the edges of the Reasuir forest. The road showed signs of frequent use; however, they did not pass many travelers along the way. He noticed that many of the small villages they passed were not located directly along the main road but were set back in the distance, closer to small forests and connected by smaller side roads. He planned to ask Aleesia about the placement of the villages once they stopped for the night.

  He had hoped to catch a glimpse of the villages to increase his knowledge of the Ljosan lifestyle on this journey but feared that he would not get the opportunity in their haste to reach Cidrean. He was ever thankful for the effectiveness of Aleesia’s sun blocking ointment. He feared that it would wear off over the course of the day but it remained effective without the need to re-apply. The heat did not seem as oppressive today but then the soothing properties of the ointment may have diminished the impact.

  He noticed that the Ljosar did not appear as outgoing as the Svartar. The few travelers they passed did not greet each other as openly and warmly as he was accustomed. They traveled in covered wagons and those on horseback were covered from head to toe as were he and Aleesia, and only nodded in recognition of passing travelers. He wondered if the open spaces with little protection from the sun’s rays caused the Ljosar to keep more to themselves and not dawdle while on the road. He made another note to discern if the city dwellers were friendlier. He noticed that his friend Connak remained well covered. Laosx wondered silently if his friend’s covering had more to do with an attempt to blend in and be inconspicuous than protection from the sun’s rays.

  He had not had an opportunity to discuss Connak’s growing concerns and his feeling that the situation was rapidly getting worse. Connak’s senses were becoming more acute and Laosx hoped that they would b
e able to get a better sense of the nature of the attack on their Elders before they reached Cidrean. Convincing the Ljosan High Council of the need to join forces was only one of the obstacles they faced. If the High Council agreed, bringing the two bodies together would be a time consuming and almost impossible feat. He decided to use his time in the saddle to try to think of possible solutions.

  Laosx’s positive impressions of their escort were continually reinforced. He admired her direct, no-nonsense approach to handling her responsibilities. Where others perceived her actions as cold and aloof, Laosx perceived her actions as total focus on the task at hand. He looked forward to a time when he could have a real conversation with her and get to know her better. The distance that she placed between herself and others attracted him even more. It made him wonder about the reasons for her actions. He felt slightly guilty when his thoughts drifted to such personal concerns when their mission was so critical, but it was difficult not to allow his mind to wander just a little.