The Curse of Deadman's Forest (17 page)

“Do you still believe she’s in danger because of us?” Ian asked, feeling the weight of responsibility that must be resting on the earl’s shoulders.

“I do,” said the earl. “It was all I could do to convince her to question Carmina, who turned hateful the moment she was accused of stealing the journal. She actually attempted to turn the blame on you and Carl, suggesting the two of you took it in the night while the professor slept, and then you lads invented some outlandish story to cover your thievery.”

“But that’s a lie!” Ian said, outraged by the accusation.

“Yes, Ian,” said the earl, his eyes heavy with fatigue.
“And if it weren’t for my title and the truth of who we all are, which I felt compelled to reveal to our hostess in light of the events, I should think Carmina’s accusations most convincing to Señora Castillo. I have given my word to return her brother’s diary to her, but I am worried about the consequences of doing that.”

“Why, my lord?” asked Ian, wondering what consequences could result from returning the diary to its rightful owner.

“Because of what the prophecy within its pages might reveal. If Magus’s spies are now aware of the journal and are also aware that it contains a copy of Laodamia’s last prophecy, I should think they would stop at nothing to obtain it.”

“There is reason to be concerned,” said a voice from the doorway, and Ian was startled to see the professor up and about so early. When they both looked at him in surprise, the professor added, “I heard you’d arrived, my lord, and thought it best to talk with you as soon as possible.”

“Of course, Professor,” the earl said, waving him into the room. “Tell us what you’ve discovered.”

Ian noticed that the professor was carrying the tattered remains of the journal. “I had thought to simply begin copying the text within again and translate it later, but sadly, there is very little left of Barnaby’s notes.”

Ian felt a pang of guilt. “The motorcar that ran over it made a terrible wreck of it, sir,” he said by way of explanation.

“It did indeed,” the professor agreed with a tired sigh. “Still, there is some of the prophecy left, and I’ve managed to translate it.”

“So quickly?” asked the earl.

The professor frowned. “That’s how little of it remains, I’m afraid.” Ian stared at the floor. He felt terribly responsible for the diary’s condition. “I’m assuming Laodamia’s last prophecy does concern the children?” the earl said.

“Yes,” said the professor, but he said nothing more. Ian looked up from the floor and saw that the old man seemed to be struggling with a decision. The professor looked gravely at Ian, and it was as though he wasn’t sure if he should comment further. Finally, however, the professor gave another sigh and said, “The text talks about you specifically, Ian.”

“It does?” Ian was surprised but knew he shouldn’t be. Most of Laodamia’s prophecies mentioned him.

The professor shuffled over to a nearby chair and sat down. He adjusted his glasses and carefully opened a folded piece of paper. “Yes, but first I must suggest that although you are mentioned, I do not believe that this prophecy was meant to be seen by you.”

Ian’s eyes widened. How could Laodamia not want him to see a prophecy that mentioned him specifically? After all, she’d written her other prophecies directly to him. “What makes you think she wouldn’t want me to see it, Professor?”

“It is written in the traditional Phoenician script, my boy. Not like any of the other prophecies that Laodamia left for you in her silver treasure boxes. And after reading what’s left of this one, I believe I know why.”

Ian didn’t know what to say, but his heart began to hammer. He knew there was some terrible prediction contained within that journal, and he could only imagine what it
might be. Still, he found he didn’t have the courage to ask about it.

But the earl did. “Tell us what the Oracle said, Professor. Please.”

Professor Nutley took a deep breath and began to read the text. “‘The salvation for all mankind shall rest with the Guardian when the Eye of Zeus passes from the Guardian to the One. The One shall be an Oracle of unparalleled ability, with gifts like no other. The Guardian shall protect the One at the time of greatest peril, during the gathering, and upon the completion of the gathering of the seven. The One shall then draw upon the power of the other six Oracles destined for battle. These seven United will stand for the cause, to form a mighty alliance against the dreaded four.’”

The earl eyed Ian, the man’s posture slumped slightly, as if he carried a great burden. “Wasn’t it you who recovered Theo’s crystal, the eye of Zeus, from the wreckage of the keep last year?”

Ian nodded gravely. “Yes, my lord.”

The earl and the professor shared a look. “I am convinced that Theo is the One that Laodamia speaks of,” the professor said.

“Then we should assume that Ian is the Guardian,” said the earl. With a soft smile for Ian, he added, “He’s been her protector from the moment she entered my keep.”

Ian felt his cheeks heat under the earl’s gaze. “The gathering of the six Oracles, we already know that’s part of the quest Laodamia’s set out for us. And Theo must be the seventh that will draw on the energy of the other six, which
makes perfect sense really, because Laodamia tells us in both of her prophecies that Theo is the first and the last of the Oracles. We’ve already acquired one of the other six and that’s Jaaved, our Seeker.”

“Yes,” the professor agreed. “And it is also obvious that the dreaded four she speaks of are Magus, Caphiera, Atroposa, and Lachestia.”

“Is that all she says?” the earl asked, and Ian knew from the professor’s face that there was more.

The professor sighed again and gave a reluctant shake of his head. “No, my lord, there is more and I must warn you that this next bit is terribly troubling.”

“What does it say?” Ian asked, even though a part of him was sure he didn’t want to know.

Again the professor appeared reluctant to speak; he scowled down at his translation and took a moment before he read from it again. “‘There can be only one event that will throw the United off their path and doom the fate of man: a time of grave danger shall come when the sorceress of earth shall arise from her stony tomb to take the life of the Guardian. And with the Guardian’s demise, the One shall quickly fall, for none alive can stall this fate. If the Guardian perishes and the One falls before the time of gathering is complete, no hope can be given to the way of man.’”

After the professor finished speaking, there was a gasp from the hall, and everyone turned to see Theo standing as still as a statue in the doorway, her face pale and her large green eyes brimming with moisture. “No!” she cried hoarsely, then flew across the room to hug Ian fiercely.

Ian was so taken aback that he barely knew what to do. He settled for patting her head gently and telling her not to cry. He hadn’t even had a moment to process what the professor had said.

The earl, however, appeared to have understood it perfectly. “But, professor,” he said, “the prophecy from the last box …” His voice trailed off just as Ian remembered six cryptic lines:

And Ian suddenly wondered if perhaps he was the one who might get left behind on their next quest. Theo seemed to be thinking the same thing, because she mumbled, “I won’t let her take you, Ian. On our next quest, to find the Healer, I won’t let Lachestia take you!”

Ian hugged Theo tightly, and tried to calm his own fears. “There, there,” he said gently. “No one’s going to do me in, Theo. We’ll just have to make sure we avoid the sorceress when we go in search of the Healer.”

But Theo looked up at him with such haunted eyes that he knew her gift of sight was telling her that might prove itself impossible. “I sense a great danger, Ian,” she whispered. “I’ve seen that your path in particular comes so close to
death that I cannot determine if you will come back through the portal alive.”

Ian’s heart felt as if it had fallen straight down to his toes. “That settles it, then, doesn’t it?” the earl said, his voice firm.

“Settles what, my lord?” the professor asked.

“If Laodamia thinks that the children might not survive their next trip through the portal, then they shall not pass at all.”

Theo snapped her head in the earl’s direction, and Ian could clearly see the conflict on her face. “But, my lord! We
must
go through the portal. We have no choice but to add the Healer to our group! The Healer is essential to the six Laodamia has tasked us with gathering!”

But the earl’s mind was made up. “No,” he said firmly. “I shall not risk it. We will find another way.”

“But the prophecy!” the professor cried, getting up from his chair to move closer to them. “My lord, if the children are not allowed to assemble what Laodamia calls the United, we are all most certainly doomed!”

The earl’s brow lowered, and Ian saw a glint of anger in his eye, which was quite unusual for him. “I will not throw Ian’s life away so easily, Professor Nutley!” the earl snapped. “And I shall not risk an encounter with this sorceress! We will find a way to fulfill this prophecy without sending the children back through the portal.”

“But how, my lord?” Ian asked. “How can we possibly find the Healer without following the prophecy?”

The earl sighed heavily and sat back down on the
bed. He turned slightly and pulled a folded letter from his jacket. After opening it to read a few lines to himself, he said, “I cannot be certain, Ian, but there may yet be a solution.”

The professor’s mouth opened, and it looked as if he were going to continue to argue the point, but the earl held up his hand, ending their discussion. “Let us not talk any further about this until I’ve had an opportunity to investigate a few recent developments, all right?”

Ian noticed that both Theo and the professor looked rather doubtful, but they nodded in agreement all the same.

“Thank you,” the earl said with a relieved smile. “Is there any more to this prophecy from Sir Barnaby’s journal, Professor?”

The professor blinked, as if he’d forgotten all about the diary. “Yes, my lord, there is one small section that remains, and I must admit that it is most extraordinary, given Ian’s encounter with the man who came to his rescue yesterday, and his conviction that he met none other than our Phoenician General Adrastus. Laodamia writes, ‘I am awaiting the general from Lixus. To him shall go my treasure boxes, to be placed in the most secret of locations all around the world. He shall be the Keeper. The Keeper of my secrets. The Keeper of all our destinies.’”

“I was right!” Ian exclaimed. “Adrastus lives!”

But the professor still held some doubt. “Ian,” he said soberly, “this does not clearly state that you were right and the general has somehow managed to live for two thousand
years; this merely indicates that you were right in that Adrastus hid both the Star of Lixus and the second silver box for you. From the note you were handed by the stranger who saved you yesterday, it does appear that he also hid the first box in Dover for you to find, however, it does not
prove
that he is Adrastus.”

“But he said he was the Secret Keeper!” Ian insisted. “He said almost exactly what Laodamia says. That he was the keeper of secrets and my destiny, and that’s why he couldn’t tell me any more, because he was afraid it might alter my fate.”

Still, the professor appeared skeptical. “It would have to be an extraordinary occurrence, lad,” he said.

“Yes, well, the portal is a rather extraordinary thing, don’t you agree?” Ian argued.

The professor broke into a grin. “Point taken,” he said with a chuckle.

The earl got up from the edge of the bed and moved to his satchel. He opened it and took out several articles of clothing, then handed these to Ian. “My clothes!” Ian exclaimed, happy to see a proper shirt for a change.

“In order to make a hasty retreat I’m afraid I had to leave all the extra satchels behind, Ian, but I did manage to get most of your clothes.” The earl then reached into his bag again and came up with another pile—this he handed to Theo, who took it gratefully—and a final set, which he also gave to Ian. “See that Carl receives these, would you?”

Ian scowled. He was still a bit miffed with Carl this
morning. The earl must have noticed Ian’s frown, because when Ian looked up at him, the earl had arched one eyebrow. “Is there a problem, lad?”

Ian was quick to shake his head. “No, my lord,” he said, anxious not to involve the earl in his petty squabbles. The earl seemed satisfied but Theo regarded Ian in a way that told him she knew exactly what Ian was upset about.

“Very well,” the earl said with a sigh. “If you will all go on and enjoy your morning, I will attempt to steal a quick nap before seeing to our continued travel arrangements.”

Theo took Ian by the hand. “Come, let’s have some breakfast, shall we?”

    Theo waited outside Ian’s door while he changed into a fresh shirt and trousers. He was grateful that Carl wasn’t in their room, and he settled for tossing his friend’s clothes onto the bed. Carl would find them easily enough.

After Ian had changed, he and Theo made their way down the stairs, and as they stepped onto the marble flooring of the front hall, they heard laughing coming from the dining hall.

Curious, they went to investigate, and Ian stopped short when he saw that Océanne was giggling merrily at Carl, who was attempting to balance a spoon on the end of his nose.

Beside Ian, Theo began to laugh as well, and that irritated Ian all the more. Océanne looked up as they entered, and clapped her hands. “There you are!” she said happily. “And you’re just in time. Breakfast is about to be served.”
Turning back to Carl with a humorous grin, she added, “I’ve made sure there’s more than enough for seconds.”

Carl’s spoon clanked onto his plate and he smiled happily. “Brilliant!” he exclaimed, rubbing his stomach. Then he added, “And might I say that is a very nice jumper you’re wearing, Océanne.”