Caitlen paced her small cell. She usually spent much of her day pacing, as there was really nothing else to do. She heard running footsteps in the hall outside her cell. She went to the door and peered out. She could hear two of the guards speaking just outside her cell.
“Similitude, why do you run so?” asked Epik, the guard who normally protected this hallway.
“I have news,” Similitude answered.
“So, tell me this news that brings you so far from your post.”
“The queen has sent for Foyln,” Similitude replied.
“Foyln? Why? Has something happened?”
“The portal has been opened.”
‘Opened!’ Caitlen thought. ‘Perhaps this will mean I can go home.’ Even though it had been years since she had been home, she could still smell her grandmother’s cooking and she could see the fields of corn. Every night, she would dream that she was back on her grandparents’ farm, running through the corn fields or hiding in the hay loft. Every morning, she awoke in the dungeon and her heart would sink, as she realized this cell was her home.
“I wonder what this means.” Epik said.
“I do not know, but there is talk that a child and a dog came through the portal. They were seen by Poshet.”
“A child and a dog? What an unlikely pairing. Perhaps,” Epik lowered his voice to a whisper and Caitlen had to strain her ears to hear. “Perhaps, the queen will be overthrown.”
“Epik, do not talk that way! We could be overheard. It is not safe to speak of such things while we are in the castle.”
“Similitude, do not be so fearful. Everyone knows that Queen Elva is evil and she is ruling on a throne that does not truly belong to her.”
“Maybe so, but she is the queen and we must honor her. We must remain faithful, even when we disagree.”
“Similitude, you go on and remain faithful. I will choose to speak my mind.” He paused. “I do not believe that this one show be kept locked up. She should be allowed to go free. Maybe, her people have finally come to claim her.”
“Maybe so, Epik, maybe so, but if that is the case then we must be on guard even more to protect our queen.”
“You may protect the queen, Similitude; I will join in the fight to put the rightful queen on the throne. I am weary of living in fear and hiding my head. I have no children and no wife. There is no reason for me to continue to serve a queen in whom I do not believe.”
“Epik, you should save your judgment until we know more of what is to happen. Perhaps, I would join the rightful side. For now, keep an extra watch on the prisoner.”
The two men saluted and Similitude walked away. Epik watched Similitude turn the corner at the end of the dark hall way. Then, he peered into Caitlen’s cell.
“Did you hear that, mi lady?”
“Yes, Epik, I did. What do you think this means?”
“I think it means that a new queen is to be chosen. Otherwise, how would the portal open?” Epik glanced around to be sure he would not be overheard. “Stay alert, mi lady, for I will try to free you soon.”
“Thank you, Epik. I long to be free of this dungeon.”
“After my watch is over, I will see what I might learn of this girl and her dog.”
“Be careful, Epik. You are the only companion I have.”
“I will remain vigilant and careful, mi lady. I will not fail you again.”
Caitlen caught her breath. Epik always spoke like this to her and yet, she knew that he had been a boy himself when she had been captured. He had just begun his apprenticeship to the castle guards at the young age of 13. Still, he felt guilty for not being able to stop her capture.
Epik would have joined with the wizards and soldiers who had risen up against Queen Elva, except he worried what would become of Caitlen. Instead he stayed on the castle guard and worked his way into being the one guard who was able to spend the most time with Caitlen. His devotion to the young girl moved from brotherly interest to an innocent love as the years went by. Now, Epik was a man of thirty three and, yet, he did not allow himself to marry, so that he may remain free for Caitlen. His only hope was that Caitlen would be able to return the affection that he felt.
***
Chapter Five…
“I’m trying to figure out where Sky went,”
“Maybe, we should look downstairs. I’ll bet Becca and Sky went downstairs.”
“We would have seen them.”
“Well, maybe they’re hiding. She’s probably still mad because we teased her about that imaginary castle.”
Both Maddie and Elizabeth began searching through the attic, opening trunks large enough for Becca and Sky to hide in. After a while,
“They have to be here,” Maddie answered her.
“Try barking. Maybe you’ll end up wherever he went.”
“I’m not going to bark at the mirror,”
***
“Silly,” Elizabeth finished. She looked around. A path reached out before her and across the field to her left, she saw a castle. “Where am I?”
“You are in Alevai,” a voice answered her. “And, if you do not wish to remain here, you best turn around and go back.”
The dragon bowed slightly. “I am Aaron Flisler of the Cavarbash Flislers. Although, I am quite sure that you have never heard of us. And, you are?” He held out a paw to her.
“I’m um Elizabeth Velan,” she answered reaching out her hand and shaking his paw. As scared as she was, she knew that was no excuse for bad manners. Her mother had taught her and her sisters to always be polite to people. She was sure that her mother would expect her to extend that politeness to a dragon.
Aaron dropped her hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth.” He looked past her. “Oh, dear, just as I thought. The portal closed.”
“You see on your side there must be a portal of some sort to allow you to come here to our side. Unfortunately, there is not a portal on our side to get you back, at least not one of which I am aware.”
“A portal? The mirror I touched. It must be a portal, right?”
“Absolutely. But, the opening does not stay that way for long.”
“How will I get home?”
“I am not sure. We will have to go and see Wayzgoose.”
“Wayzgoose? Who is Wayzgoose?”
“You haven’t heard of Wayzgoose? Don’t you have great wizards in your land?”
“
“
“No, that’s silly. Wizards aren’t real. They don’t exist.”
“Oh, my dear, wizards are very real. I should like to think that you wouldn’t tell Wayzgoose that you think he doesn’t exist. That would be quite rude.”
“I won’t. I promise,”
“No, no one of such caliber lives in that castle.” Aaron involuntarily shuddered. “We must stay far away from the castle.” Aaron looked around and then leaned his face close to
Aaron turned and started down the path.
Aaron walked oblivious to the torment going on in
Aaron placed one scaly dragon paw on her shoulder. “
“Becca? Find Becca?” Aaron scratched his head. “Who is Becca?”
“My little sister. She and our dog, Sky, disappeared and I think she’s here.”
Aaron, who had never been confronted by the tears of a young female, was flabbergasted as what to do. He finally began patting her on the back. “There, there,” he said soothingly. “I’m sure we will find your sister and your little dog too.”
“Hey, what’s going on?” a voice asked.
Aaron stopped patting
“Maddie!” she exclaimed. “You’re here!”
“Where are we?”
“We have to go back home,”
Maddie looked around
Aaron walked closer to the girls. Maddie froze when she registered his presence. “
“You are a very observant young lady,” Aaron said. “Indeed I am a dragon.” He bowed slightly. “Aaron Flisler of the Cavarbash Flislers at your service.” He held out his paw to her.
Maddie stared at it for a moment before shaking it. “Maddie Velan,” she said. “I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Believe me, dear girl, the pleasure is all mine.” Aaron smiled at the girl. He didn’t know much about human children, well, any children for that matter, but he did so enjoy polite ones. He released Maddie’s hand in time to see the portal close. “Oh, dear. The portal has closed.”
“The portal?” Maddie asked. “
“Our way home. It’s closed now,”
***
Chapter Four…
Balbatisher ran through the castle to the throne room. At age 12, he was Queen Elva Zores’ youngest servant. His age is why the older servants sent him. They knew that he, as the baby of the lot, would not be punished too harshly when he passed along the news that the portal had been opened.
The older servants remembered the wrath of Queen Elva twenty years before when the girl who was to be the next queen stepped through the portal. Queen Elva went mad with the thought of being cast aside after ruling Alevai for so long. She had the young girl imprisoned. She did not dare have her killed, for none of her advisors could tell her what would happen if she did.
All, but one, of wizards of the land immediately rose up against the queen. They had hoped to save the girl and give her back her rightful place on the throne. At the very least, they desired to send her back through the portal. Through various means, the queen and the rouge wizard, Foyln, defeated the wizards. Queen Elva banished them to Schein and Foyln place a ward along the dividing line to prevent the wizards from coming back.
Today, while out in the fields, Poshet, Balbatisher’s uncle saw a young girl come through the portal. He watched for sometime and saw a white dog follow. Poshet heard them speak about going to the castle to find help. He ran as quickly as he could to the servants’ quarters of the castle to get there before the visitors. There the servants gathered to decide what should be done. They had discussed not telling the queen, but this was quickly disregarded. If the young girl and the dog made it to the castle, Poshet could be punished for knowing about them.
After much discussion, they agreed that Balbatisher would tell the queen what Poshet saw. They hoped his youth would protect him from her wrath.
Balbatisher rounded the corner and entered the Throne Room. Queen Elva was sitting upright on her throne, drumming her fingers on the arm. Two guards stood at the base of the raised altar, one on each side. Balbatisher caught his breath a moment, before moving from the doorway and into the Queen’s line of sight. He wondered why it was that the Queen never looked happy.
“Your majesty,” Balbatisher said, bowing as he did so. “I bring you news.”
“Come closer,” said the Queen. “Of what do you have knowledge?”
Balbatisher walked a few feet forward. He kept his head down and did not meet the Queen’s gaze. “Your majesty, I have received word,” he began, using the words he had memorized in the servants’ quarters, “that the portal to the far land has been breached.”
The queen leaped out of her chair, startling the guards. “What did you say?” she screeched.
Balbatisher kept his head down. His knees were shaking with fright. “The portal has been opened, your majesty.”
“How?”
“I do not know, Your Majesty. I only know that a young girl and a dog came through the portal.” He took a breath. “We do not know where they are, but they were last seen heading for the castle.”
“So, they are coming here?” Queen Elva smiled and sat back on her throne. “Perfect. Thank you, Balbatisher. You may go now.”
Balbatisher looked up at the queen in wonder. She smiled at him and nodded. He bowed again and quickly walked out of the throne room.
“Coming here,” the queen said to herself. “How delightful.” She turned to one of the guards. “Call the wizard Foyln and tell him I require his presence in the throne room.”
“Yes, mi lady,” the guard said, before running from the room.
Chapter Three…
Becca found herself in the same place – on a path in the middle of long flowing green fields. She started down the path. This time she would find her way to the castle. Maybe, there would be a nice princess she could play with. She looked up at the sky and noticed how blue it was and how it didn’t have a cloud in it at all. She wondered what kind of place this was where the sky was so blue without any clouds.
Becca heard a voice behind her and she stopped in her tracks. She was scared because she thought the voice called her name.
“Becca, get back here!” the voice yelled.
Becca slowly turned around and looked. Standing ten yards away was Sky. “Sky! What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to take you home, young lady, so come on,” Sky said.
“But, I don’t want to go home.”
Sky opened his mouth to reply, but stopped. Did Becca answer him? How did she know what he was saying? He barked to her. “Hurry up, Becca.” ‘Wait,’ he thought. ‘I’m speaking English. How can that be?’
Becca ran back to him. “Sky, when did you learn to talk?”
“I don’t know,” he answered, truthfully. “It must be because of this place.” ‘Hmmm,’ he thought, ‘I rather like being able to speak.’ He thought a moment that perhaps they could stay wherever they were, but he knew that Vicy would worry about them. “It doesn’t matter,” he finally said. “We must be going.”
“I don’t want to go. I want to see the castle.” Becca stood in front of him with her arms crossed.
“Well, you don’t have a choice. Your mother will be worried and so will your sisters.” Sky turned around and watched as the portal between the worlds disappeared.
“I want to see the castle,” Becca said, stomping her feet on the ground.
Sky turned and looked back at the hole between the two worlds. It began to grow smaller, until no trace of it existed. “Uh oh,” he said. “It’s gone.”
“What’s gone?” Becca asked.
“Our way home. It’s gone. It just closed up. Now, we’re stuck here.”
“Good. Then I get to see my castle.”
Sky turned and looked at her. “Your castle? Becca, we can’t get back home if the hole is gone.”
“Oh,” Becca said. This thought sunk in and scared her. How would she survive if she couldn’t see Mommy? What would she do? She began to cry.
Sky sighed. He wished, for just a second, that he had crossed into this new world with Elizabeth or Maddie. They were much stronger than Becca and wouldn’t cry. He hated crying.
He jumped up on Becca and licked her face. “Now, you need to stop crying,” he said, softly. “Wipe your eyes and let’s just think about what we’re going to do.” He sat back down.
“Okay,” Becca sniffled. “But, I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
“Well, we have two choices. We can sit here and wait. Maybe, one of your sisters will figure this out. I think
“When will she do that? I want to go home.” Becca sat down on the dirt path in front of Sky.
“I know you do.” Sky moved and licked Becca’s face. “I want to go home, too.” He sat back. “Our second choice is we could go and take a look at the castle. Maybe, they’ll know how to get us back home.”
“Do you really think so, Sky? Maybe, there’s a wise old King and he can send us home.” Becca stood and started to jump around. “We can go home and I’ll get to see the castle.”
Sky looked at the castle. “I think,” He said, “if we cut across this field, we’ll make better time than taking the path.” He took the lead and the two of them walked into the tall grass toward the castle.
***
Chapter Two…
A week went by before the girls found the time to venture back into the attic. They had been busy unpacking and decorating their new bedrooms. Her mother had taken the bedroom at the end of the hall. Becca had taken the one next to it. Maddie had finally decided on the bedroom right at the top of the stairs. This left
“Hey,
“I’m tired of unpacking!” Becca whined. She threw herself down on the bed.
“Me, too. I don’t think we’ll ever be done,” Maddie said, sitting down next to Becca.
“You’re not going to be done if you’re sitting in my room,”
“Let’s go back into the attic,” Maddie said.
“Yeah,” said Becca. “I want to see my castle again.”
Maddie had the attic door opened and she led the way up the stairs. Becca followed, with Sky trailing behind.
The attic was still the way the girls had left it, with trunks and boxes opened. The clothing items they had tried on were scattered haphazardly throughout the room.
Maddie was more interested in finding out what was in each trunk. She would open a trunk and rifle through the clothes. She thought maybe she’d find a clue as to whom these items belonged.
Becca wanted to go back and see her castle. She raced to the far end of the attic, with Sky right behind her. She turned around to glance at her sisters. They had made fun of her for saying that she had seen a castle. Well, she’d show them. She was going back.
Becca stood in front of the mirror. She rose up her right hand and let it touch the mirrors smooth surface. She felt a whoosh and then, she was gone.
Sky blinked and shook his head. ‘Here we go again,’ he thought. He barked and was shushed by
Sky turned and looked at Elizabeth and Maddie. He couldn’t believe that they didn’t notice that their younger sister had seemingly disappeared into thin air. He barked again to get their attention, but they ignored him. He knew that he had to do something. He sat down and began to think. This was tough for him, for although he was a very bright dog, he hadn’t spent much of his time trying to solve problems.
Sky thought about what Becca had done right before she disappeared. She touched the mirror! He thought. He stood up and looked back at Elizabeth and Maddie. He wondered if he should leave them alone in the attic. Well, they were safer here than Becca was wherever she was. He took a step toward the mirror and barked, before touching it with his nose.
“See what?”
“See Sky disappear.”
Maddie stopped rummaging through a trunk and looked at her sister. “What are you talking about?”
“I just saw Sky disappear.”
Maddie stood and walked to her sister. “Disappear? He must be here.”
“No, he’s not and I don’t see Becca, either.”
“Becca was just over by that mirror a second ago,” Maddie said, still totally unconcerned.
“Well, she’s not over there by the mirror now, is she?”
“God, you sound just like Mom when you do that.”
“Do what?”
“Put your hands on your hips and shake your head.” Maddie changed her voice and placing her hands on her hips said, “Well, she’s not over there now, is she?”
“I do not sound like Mom.”
“Do so.”
“Do not.” Maddie took a step toward her sister and stopped. She turned around and looked for Sky. ‘Sky would never let us fight,’ she thought. He never liked the girls to fight and would always jump in between them whenever an argument would start. “
“I told you he disappeared.”
“Oh, man. He’s really gone.”
“Now you believe me?”
Maddie began searching the attic, with
***
