The Strange Adventure of Maria Mercado (14 page)

“Okay put me down and I will speak to their Elders,” said Gadik.

The giant obliged and he went off to look for the Elders in the now growing number of onlookers and bystanders.  The Mestons were talking to the giant who had sat down and was playing with some of the children. Gadik found the Elders around the river where they usually converged and proceeded to ask them for more fish or grain for the giants, whatever they can spare. He explained to them the situation and the urgency behind it. The Elders were more than happy to help and pointed him towards one of their storage houses. He motioned for the giant to follow him there and together, with the help of some Mestons, they gathered enough fish from inside and wrapped them inside a big sheet of cloth. The giant then took the cloth and carried it then picked up Gadik and put him back to his shoulders.

“Thank you,” the giant said before making his way back to the other Doxpats.

“Yes, thank you,” said Gadik.

“You are welcome, friends! We are all on the same side here!” said the Mestons, as they turned around and continued with their own preparations for the upcoming war.

But before the giant and Gadik could leave, they heard someone calling after them.

              “Wait! Wait!”

             
Gadik turned around to see two members of the advanced unit running towards them. He asked the giant to put him back down on the ground so he can properly speak to them.

             
“What can I help you with?” Gadik said to them.

             
“We are looking for our brother, Jasper. He has been missing for almost two days and last we heard, someone saw him running to the woods. He usually returns time for dinner and he had only been gone overnight a couple of times. We just want to see if you can help us find him.”

             
“We are on the verge of war, young men. If I can find some Bostavs to spare then I will send them over here to help you find your brother.”

             
“No we’re not asking that.”

             
“What then?”

             
“Our Grandma Martha – she works in the palace, in your kitchen to prepare meals. We had told Jasper before that if he ever lost his way or have discovered something important in the woods and he thinks he is far from home to just go there. We are just wondering if you could check with our grandmother to see if she had any contact with him. He could have found something. A little while ago, he said he found evidence of the Unknowns’ camp. We went there to inspect but the camp seemed abandoned. He could very well have stumbled upon the new camp again. We just hope that they never saw him or found him.”

             
“There was news of a boy and an Omtar who arrived at the palace to speak with the Royals. I will see if that is him and will send word to you as soon as possible.”

             
“I don’t believe he knew any Omtars. But nevertheless, thank you. That is all we ask. You have our undying loyalty and we will fight with you in battle!” said the young men.

             
“And it will be an honor on my part,” said Gadik to them. He turned to the giant and said, “Come, let us go.” He picked him up and put him on his shoulder and with his other hand he took the fish and went on their way.

***

              Five figures wearing black are making their way through the forest.  Walking in single file, one after another, with their leader, Prince Amir, in the front. They each carried a small sack around their shoulders and back, and a staff on their hands. The staff they held used to be made of pure gold and it was transformed into a dark stone at the same time that their powers and glowing skin were stripped away. Prince Amir longed for the looks that he had lost, the looks that made him stand out as a prince instead of looking like the scum of the earth as he do so today. As they walked they quietly chanted spells; various spells including ones that cover their tracks and ones that kept their way free from any company. No doubt the Royals and the Bostavs know of their intentions to come to the palace; after all it was just the only course of action for them to take. The girl must be there by now and the only way they can ensure her cooperation is if they go there and speak to her directly. They all need to be present when she makes her long awaited decision.

             
They will not hesitate to use their new potion to the girl. The only dilemma would be getting her to drink it but the Unknowns have a plan for that of course. Some of their trusted conspirators are already in the palace grounds, waiting for their chance to strike. They had taken difficult steps to ensure that they would all be within the palace walls when the time comes.

             
Getting inside the palace will not prove to be an easy task for the Unknowns. The caves underneath it, which were used by their allies in the Great War, still exist but are now sealed from the outside. And thus they depend on their allies to find a way to open it.

             
Sometime during their journey they heard the sound of the Doxpats. They are aware that the sleeping giants have been woken up. This presents but a small problem to Prince Amir; he will be letting his followers take care of them. No matter which side the girl chooses there will be war; if she choose to go with the Royals then the Unknowns and their allies will not be giving up easily, no matter how futile. And if she chooses to go with the Unknowns then the Royals and those who side with them will be doing everything in their power to try to stop them, especially with the threat to the outside world.

             
Prince Amir led the group with confidence. This time he will not fail. Even if the girl chooses the others, he will still have his revenge. The damage he is about to cause will come as a great price for the kingdom.

It wasn’t long before they could see the palace from a distance. They continued their trek and soon they could see the Bostavs and their helpers preparing the palace walls for an impending attack.  Prince Amir got excited with the thought of war. He turned around to look at his brothers and sisters who had been loyal to him from the start and smiled.

Even they do not know what is coming.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“Meeka! I’m so glad to see you! What are you doing here?” Maria asked excitedly, as she came over to him and picked him up in a great big hug.

              “Shhhhhh!” Meeka cautioned. He looked towards the door at the Bostav guard.

             
“What’s the matter?” Maria dropped her voice down to a whisper. “Why are we being quiet? The Doxpats are awake now you know, there’s no more danger to me waking them up.”

             
“No, no, its not about them this time,” said Meeka. “I don’t want the Bostavs to know that I am here. They are very strict about who comes and goes where in this place. And, well, I had heard that you were here so I had to come find you!”

             
“Ohhh, okay, okay I understand. Yeah they really are strict. I mean there’s a guard watching me everywhere I go. How did you even get in here?”

             
“I came here with a friend I met, he is here to see his grandmother who works in the kitchen. How are you? Have they been treating you well? I see you have all kinds of food here,” said Meeka, noticing the tray of fruits and drink that were on top of a table next to the bed. “Wow this looks like a princess’ room.” He looked up at the gold ceilings and then down at the marble floors.

             
“It is. They said it belonged to one of the, ah, Unknowns back when they lived here. And yes, they have been treating me well. Feeding me and everything else.”

             
“So what happened to you when I lost you? Who took you? I tried to run after you but whoever had you was just too fast. I have very little legs.”

             
“I don’t know I didn’t see his face. He did something to make me fall asleep and I woke up in a cave. There was a girl watching me, her name was Reeza. She was scary but she didn’t hurt me. And then she took another guy prisoner; his name is Jonas. I still don’t know what happened to him. He actually rescued me from her but I guess the Bostavs thought he was the one who took me so they arrested him when they found us in the woods.”

             
“Oh I see. You know I traveled far and wide by myself looking for you!”

             
“Awww that’s sweet of you!”

             
“Well I started out alone. But then I met a young boy, he’s a Meston from the north, and he traveled with me. He is the one who is here now with his grandmother. We actually found the hide out of the Unknowns.”

             
“You saw them? Are they scary? I am frightened of them. I don’t know what they will make me do to choose their side.”

             
“Oh don’t be afraid,” said Meeka as his little hand patted her back. “They won’t hurt you. They need you. And aside from that, they’re not scary looking. They just look like humans wearing black robes, that’s all.”

             
“Thanks Meeka. You make me feel better. You will stay with me, won’t you?”

             
“Yes. But you have to hide me and keep me out of the Bostavs sight. They will probably throw me in the dungeons if they find out I’m here with you.”

             
The two of them stopped talking as they heard the alarm. The Bostav guarding the door walked into the room and closed the window, and bolted it.  “Do not open that window, it is not safe,” he said. He looked around and scanned the room. His sensors could not pick up Meeka as his potion was still working. Satisfied that the girl was safe, he exited the room and stood guard outside the door once again.

             
“I thought that they could sense you? I heard they are really sensitive like that.”

             
“I had taken precautions with regards to that, don’t you worry.”

             
“But what is that sound? I’m scared Meeka. Has the war started?”

             
“No, no. That alarm means that some prisoners have escaped. Don’t worry you will be fine. Just lie down on the bed and try to rest.” Meeka got up and walked around the room. “I will make sure that you are safe, my friend.”

             
Maria laid down, feeling content that Meeka was watching over her. Even for a little guy, she felt comfort in knowing that someone was there. When he was sure that neither the Bostav nor Maria was looking he headed over to the window. He slowly pushed the bolts with all his might until he had unlocked it. He then walked by to the bed and just sat there next to Maria. He kept his eyes to the window, as if waiting for someone to come through.

***

              The potion that Jonas, Reeza and Ankar drank to escape the prison lasted long enough until they were safely down in the caves underneath. They transformed back into their regular shapes.

             
“Wow,” Jonas said. “That was a little painful.”

             
“That was your first time?” Reeza asked him.

             
“Yes. You‘re telling me that it wasn’t yours?”

             
She just looked at him and laughed. She turned to Ankar. “Are you alright?”

             
“Yes, dear child. I am an old man and that just took its toll on me. I will need to rest for a bit before we go on.”

             
“What is exactly are we to do? That Omtar wasn’t your only ally in here was he? If he was then we have no hope to win against the Bostavs. They are searching the grounds for us now and they will find us soon.”

             
“Have a little faith Jonas. We have more friends that you know. We wait here for a bit. Just give me a few minutes to catch my breath and then we head towards the entrance of the cave. We will be opening it to let our friends in.”

             
“It is sealed but I’m sure you have a way around that,” Jonas said to Ankar.

             
The old man just looked at him and smiled.

             
I have got to find out where my son is
, Jonas thought.  He went to where Reeza was standing and grabbed her arms. “Where is my son? Tell me where he is.”

             
“Now, now, Jonas. You know as well as I do that once I tell you where he is you would not hesitate to try to kill both me and Ankar. Consider the child as my insurance policy to make sure that you do not double cross your own people.”

             
“Is this the kind of life you want our son to grow up to? War? Under rulers who won’t give a damn about killing   the innocent?”

             
“Jonas, your faithlessness is a cause of concern. The Unknowns will ensure that we get our fair share of the kingdom and they will not bother us. We will have control of both the north and south and all the resources in the area. Your son will never be in any need of anything and will be able to do as he desires,” said Ankar. “You just need to let it happen and you can be with him, and with Reeza. By then there will be no need of spies and you can have the family that you always wanted.”

             
Jonas looked at Ankar. “You’re right,” he said to him. “I just want whats best for the tribe and for my son.”

             
Ankar got up. “Let us go my children,” he said to them. “Our friends will be here soon.” The three of them made their way to the entrance of the cave. As they had already known, it was sealed not just by stone but also with magic. Ankar turned to Reeza. “You have what we need?” She nodded her head and took a small vial of potion from inside her shoes.

             
So she had planned to be captured
, thought Jonas.
But in order not to be searched she had to pretend to be a victim. Ankar knew that I would attempt to rescue the girl! They had me in their plans all along.

             
Reeza rubbed the potion on her hands and touched the magic shield that was covering the stone. In an instant, the shield flickered and then disappeared. “Help me push,” she said to Jonas. The two of them pushed the stone with all their might and even with their combined strength they were only able to move it a few inches. But it was enough to fit a body at a time.

             
“That will do,” Ankar said. “Now all we have to do is hide behind the stone, and we wait. The two of you can take care of any Bostav or Meston that might come through.”

***

              Gadik returned to the palace with the Doxpats in tow. The giants surrounded the palace and sat down to guard it. Gadik and the other Bostavs made their way inside, among the commotion of the escaped prisoners. The palace was on lockdown.

             
“What happened?” asked Gadik to the supervising guard.

             
“Three prisoners have escaped. We are searching the grounds for them now.”

             
“Which prisoners?” Gadik asked, but he had a feeling that he already knew the answer.

             
“The three Southerners,” the supervisor replied. “You must join in the search brother, they must be found as soon as possible. The Royals have been on lockdown in their chambers.”

             
“And what about the human girl? Is she safe?”

             
“Yes she has been in her quarters the whole time. There is a guard at the door and he had bolted the windows. Go, we must find them before they cause any trouble.”

             
“Do you know how they escaped?”

             
“They appeared to have gotten hold of the key and transformed themselves smaller with a potion.” The guard looked at him. “We searched the two men, but because the girl was brought in as a victim we neglected to search her too. She must have potions hidden on her body.”

             
“Then we can assume that the Unknowns are on their way. Warn everyone to be ready; we need to stop them all from gaining access to the girl. And be prepared for anything; with magic, we can never be sure what to expect.” Gadik ran into the palace. With full speed he proceeded to the second floor and checked the dining room. He saw the old lady Martha there and a young boy, whom he assumed to be Jasper.

             
“Are you Jasper?” he asked.

             
“Yes,” the boy replied.

             
“I am glad you are here and in no harm. Your brothers have been looking for you.”

             
Jasper looked at his Grandma and smiled. “The two of you, come with me.”

             
They followed him out into the hallway and up the stairs. They arrived at the chambers and Gadik asked the guard to open the door. They went in and saw Maria. She instantly got up from lying on the bed at the sight of company.

             
“Maria, are you alright?” said Gadik as he ran to her.

             
“Yes, I am fine. There is trouble isn’t there?” She looked at the young man and the old lady. “Martha!”

             
“Hello again dear child. This here is my grandson, Jasper.”

             
“Hello,” said Jasper awkwardly.
She is cute
, he thought.

             
“Hi,” said Maria, blushing a little.
Well isn’t he a cutie
, she thought.

             
“The three of you can stay together here, where it is safe. Do not leave this room,” said Gadik as he started to leave.

             
“Wait!” Jasper went after him. “I have to tell you something.” He proceeded to tell the Bostav about the presence of the Unknowns and their plot to come to the palace, as well as the potion that they had concocted. Gadik thanked him for the valuable information and turned to leave.

             
“Oh, and if you see my friend Meeka, please be careful with him he is one of us!” Jasper called out to him. Gadik turned back t talk to the boy.

             
“Who is this Meeka? The Omtar?” He remembered his name from their meeting at the land of the Omtars when Maria was taken.

             
“Yes, he came here with me. But he disappeared in the dining room. We looked for him but we don’t know how he got out. Anyway if you see him, just let him know we are safe.”

             
Gadik turned around and ran downstairs towards the dining hall. He suspected the Omtar of using magic to disappear from the room but he was hoping that he is mistaken. If it is true, then he is definitely working for them and is a danger right now that he is nowhere to be found. He arrived at the dining hall and examined it. No cracks, except a small one near the window.
So it is true
, he thought.
The Omtar is a traitor.