portal prophecies 01 - keepers destiny (10 page)

Out of the blue she asked, “Can I bring someone here who isn't a keeper?”

“If the need arises, yes,”
Aslo answered.
“The boy, Nathan?”

“Yes, he could help me with all of the reading.”

On the other side of the room was a desk with hair brushes and ties and a large mirror. She tied her hair back, jumped on the bed and began to read the book on the main world. Her mind swirled with images of tall buildings and metal objects that could move called cars.

The day had been so exciting and time had flown by. Willow drifted off to sleep with visions of the strange new world she had been reading about.

She opened her eyes and looked around. There was nothing...just plain white everywhere she looked. It took her a few minutes to figure out why she was there. “Of course, I am dreaming,” she said smiling. “Ashlyn, can you hear me? Ashlyn?”

“I am here. Everyone is worried about you. Are you okay?”

Willow spun around and greeted her friend with a hug and a smile. “Yes, I am fine but I need you to do something for me. It's very important,” she said. “I need you to ask Nathan to go to the forest and follow the path. Can you do that?”

“What path? To where?” Ashlyn's face reflected the confusion she felt from the request.

“Just ask him to trust me. When he gets to the forest he will find the path I am talking about. He has to come alone. It's very important. I will find him.”

“Aren't you coming back?” her friend asked.

“Yes, soon, please don't tell anyone else about this either, just Nathan. We should go now,” Willow said.

The room faded into the darkness of deep sleep.

Chapter Eight

The Sun was already shining when Willow walked back up the winding staircase and replaced the books to the spots from which she had borrowed them. As she walked around the semi-circular shelves, her fingers ran gently across the books that lined them as if taking in every title. Her attention then turned to the stone table. Walking over, she rounded it three times looking at all of its features. In each of the four corners was carved the same symbol that had been on the guards' arms. The corner pieces appeared to be separate from the table yet she couldn't move them. They all looked like smooth rocks, each with a flat top and the carving in the centre. Looking at the table again it seemed to her that it had been built to match the rocks and not the other way round. She wondered if there might be a book that might explain it, but her thoughts were cut off.

“Willow, where are you?” Nathan's voice echoed on the wind.

She ran down the steps into the forest and the trees made way for a path which led right to the boy. Taking his hand, she led him back to the building where she had spent the night.

“What is this place?” he asked.

“Your Gran, her stories, they were all true. These books contain information on everything, on all the different worlds the guardians visited, maps, information on creatures and beings, locations of portals, encyclopedias of information and even languages. There is also information on us, records of abilities and instructions on how to train to maximize them.”

His eyes widened in disbelief. “How do you know these books aren't just stories?” he asked.

She had to decide right then to trust him completely. She couldn't do this herself and if the end of their world was coming, she at least wanted to try to survive.

“A guardian told me,” she answered. “I need your help, these books, I have to know what each one says. It's important. Things are changing and I think they are about to get a lot worse.”

Nathan began his scanning of books and, at about the third, he looked at her curiously. “Red hair huh?”

“Sorry?”

“Red hair, according to this book, means you have extreme abilities. It's very rare. In fact, it refers to the person as having powers which could make them a saviour of worlds. You must have pretty amazing talents. Do you know what they are yet?”

“I can talk to trees,” she replied.

“Not sure how that can save a world but it's definitely interesting.” He laughed a little. “Sorry,” he added. This time they both broke out into laughter.

“I don't know either, I can make it rain when I cry too,” she said after the two had settled down.

“That explains all the rain we have been having.” He tried to not laugh but instead ended up letting out a snort starting the two giggling again.

“Let me see what you have read so far.”

Nathan shared two books with her and over the next few hours he continued to read then share. In between, the two discussed some interesting points in one book or another. They talked about what the different shades of a pixie's wings meant, what a plane was and how big a world had to be to need to use one and how to find a dark elf that was cloaked in invisibility. Occasionally they spoke in different languages they had learnt from the books. They were at just over seventy of them and they hadn't even made a dent in the first shelf.

Willow went into the forest for a few minutes. “Kiera, Aslo are you there?” she asked.

'We are always here,'
Kiera answered.

“Is there a room downstairs that isn't being used? One that Nathan could rest in if he gets tired?” she asked whispering.

'Yes the one past yours is empty. He could use that,'
Aslo responded. '
Oh and you don't have to speak out loud. We can still hear your thoughts.'

“Right,” she said still whispering. “I forgot for a moment.”

She returned with a basket of fruit, which she set on the stone table.

Nathan eyes bulged, glistening at the sight of the fresh produce. “Thank goodness I was starting to wonder if I was ever going to see food again,” he said taking a bit out of an apple.

“A little dramatic don't you think?” she said.

After eating, she showed him how to find the staircase and his room if he was tired. Nathan's comments about being hungry made her think about the others. It was time for her to go back and make sure they had food as well. After assuring him he would be safe and that she would be back as soon as possible, she headed to town.

Stepping into the forest she heard a playful whisper, “Ready to see what you can do?”

Willow smiled. Her eyes opened wide to take in what lay before her, a world she had only partially seen before. The tree in front of her swayed as if bowing and then branches formed a staircase for her to climb. She reached the top and peeked her head up above the tree line.

From beneath her she could hear a whispering, “Go ahead, we won't let you fall.”

With that, she stepped on the branches and leaves taking her first steps across the top of the forest. It was beautiful, the sun shining and wind tickling her face. She lay down, rolled around, taking in the different scents of each of the trees beneath her. Then she lay motionless on her back, her arms and legs outstretched, enjoying the feeling of the branches beneath her moving slowly in the wind, massaging her body gently. She closed her eyes. Visions of her friends entered her mind. Suddenly she realized time had been passing and she hadn't accomplished anything she had hoped to. Standing up, she ran towards where the forest bordered town.

Chapter Nine

Jade decided to go into town earlier than the rest of her friends today. She was still ecstatic about how well the dance had gone the night before. Even the short downpour couldn't ruin her victory. But she had one last conquest to make. She would have what she wanted and show that town of ingrates their place, beneath her.

She had a skip to her walk as she came down the lane, carrying a closed basket on her arm and completely oblivious to anything going on around her. Most of the town's population was standing in the middle of the road. She smiled as she passed them, stopping at Mr. and Mrs. Shinning with Victoria in tow.

“Good morning, are your boys up?” she asked, not even noticing the solemn looks on their faces.

“They are inside,” Opaque answered without looking at her.

She thanked them and continued on to their house. Opening the door, her eyes fixed on a glass case elegantly displaying the jewelry that had been made for Willow to wear to the dance. A devious smile crossed her face as she walked by and called out for the brothers. Pete answered her, extending his hand to offer her a seat in the visiting room behind the shop area.

“Where are your brothers?” she asked. “I brought you some more cake.”

Pete's eyes widened at the thought of the food she was offering. He had never liked sweets very much, but this was like nothing he had tasted before. Just the thought of it made his mouth water and his heart race. His adrenaline was pumping, he needed to have it, needed it now, more than anything in the world. He yelled for his brothers in a booming voice, letting them know Jade had brought more of the cake. His mouth filled with saliva as he watched her bring the baked delicacy out from the basket that adorned her arm. The other two boys were there in a flash, both experiencing the same reaction as their brother.

Jade served them each a piece, watching carefully as they quickly devoured it. As she filled their plates again, finishing the rest of the cake, she mentioned that there were some things that would make her happy, very happy. The boys, still consumed by the food before them, didn't answered her. A look of aggravation crossed her face which she quickly changed back to a pleasant smile as she pulled out a second cake from her basket.

“I thought you boys might be extra hungry today, we were out so late and all,” she said watching the boy's eyes following the cake as she set it on the table.

When the boys had almost finished the cake, Jade spoke again. “You fellas happy?” she asked.

The three brothers' attention switched to the girl in front of them. They nodded longing for more words to sing to them. Jade wouldn't disappoint them.

“I wish I could be happy. Until this sadness is banished from my life, I can not give an answer as to who I will chose to live out the rest of my life with. I want to, but I just can't think of such joy,” she said, her face wet with fake tears.

“What can I do to make you feel the same joy your presence gives me?” Jessie asked kneeling before her. “Name the task. There is nothing I wouldn't do to see your beautiful face smile again.”

Turning her head and faking more tears, she replied speaking to them all, “Perhaps.” She paused for a moment letting the brothers hang on her word with anticipation. “The dress and jewelry that were made for Willow for the dance, I cried for days when I found out such beauty would be worn by someone else. If I could just wear them and feel worthy of such items.” She sighed.

That was enough for the boys who rushed out to the front shop. Jessie and Dezi began fighting each other, tugging the jewelry case back and forth, while Pete slipped out the door and headed to the seamstress's shop. He found the black dress lying on the counter. Without a word to anyone, it was in his arms. He didn't even stop to notice the state of his parents' shop, filled with broken glass and destroyed furniture, or his brothers still battling. He slipped past to present Jade with her prize.

Jade held up the dress and smiled. Folding it neatly, she packed it safely away in her basket. The two other boys emerged, bruised and cut, each carrying items she longed for. Dezi presented her with the necklace and earrings, while Jessie had the hair piece.

“For me?” She squealed with delight putting the pieces into her basket and closing the lid. “This is so much to process. You all have made me so happy. I have to think about my choices, but I will have an answer for you tomorrow. Until then dream of our time together.”

The boys sat back with silly lovestruck smiles on their faces as they watched the object of their affections leave.

Jade had a quick skip to her step, smiling ear to ear. She stopped to pick up food for the day, when she realized the stands were empty. Turning around she saw the whole town standing behind her. She walked closer and asked, “Where is the vegetable girl?”

“We don't know,” Clairity answered. ”She has been gone since last night.”

“I see,” Jade replied with a shrug, continuing her walk to the castle without a thought or care.

Most of the Council members were gathered at a table in the dining room deciding who would go into town today for supplies when Jade walked in.

“Where have you been so early today?” her mother asked.

“I went to town to thank the boys for such a wonderful evening,” she said still beaming from the prizes hidden in her basket.

“You should have brought back some fruit,” her father said without looking at her.

“I tried, but couldn't. The useless girl ran away or something,” she responded with a couldn't care less tone.

“What have you done?” Nebulah demanded.

“What have I done?” Anger spiked in Jade's voice. “What have I done? I can't help it if I am more beautiful than her. How is that my fault. I am sure she just went off to pout her date decided he wanted to be with me more than her.”

“Didn't you have enough dates last night without one more? Couldn't you let that girl have a little bit of happiness? Did I bring you up to feel nothing?” Her mother waved one hand in front of her face as if it were a fan, her mouth slightly open. She looked upwards attempting to stop tears from falling.

“You brought me up to see that we are far better than those losers. That we deserve to be treated better and have everything we want. None of them deserve to make me or anyone else from the castle feel inferior and in no way should those people show us up or make fools of us and, let's face it, lately that's all they have been doing while you sit here and do nothing. They need to be put in their place. All I did is what this Council hasn't had the nerve to do,” Jade said a green fire burning in her eyes.

“How dare you pretend you know the business of this Council and try to hide your deeds behind its name.” Malarchy stood, fury written on his face. “You will go to your room and remain there until a proper punishment has been decided on. Do not test me further child.”