Ben and Lucy: The Sunken Kingdom

“Come on keep up with the others!”. Joliet yelled.

Ben’s pain had subsided once the elf was freed from his spell. Something about the spell had an affect on Ben. He thought about it as he ran to catch up. Joliet was helping him keep in touch with the others. Ben’s strength was returning the farther they were from the den where Lingley was transformed.

“This way, are you ok?” Joliet looked back.

“Yes, I am getting better. Keep moving don’t wait for me.” Ben answered.

Joliet turned and smiled. “Don’t worry I won’t leave you.”

Ben felt something in his heart jumped as Joliet smiled. He was starting to really like this girl. She was cool.

Lingley led the team through the tunnels and finally Lucy saw light up ahead.

“There is light ahead, we must be close.” Lucy spoke first.

“Be careful Lucy.” Roscoe warned. “We don’t yet know what he is up to and if he is really leading us to safety or a trap.”

“I know he is helping us. I can sense it in him.” Lucy was confident.

Lingley looked back at Lucy. He understood her. She was right he was helping them. Soon they would part ways and he was a little depressed about that but he had to return to his home and family. The tunnel opened into a courtyard filled with sunlight. All had to shed their eyes until they adjusted to the light. Lingley held up his arm. He turned to Lucy.

“Stay here. I will let you know when to proceed.” His thoughts came to her without anything audible she know what he was thinking.

“Everyone stop where I am. Lingley is checking it out.” Lucy translated to the team.

“Everyone be on their guard.” Roscoe added as the group all caught up.

Ben exiting the caves last smiled up at Joliet. Lucy watched as her brother exchanged glances with the wild girl. She knew he was falling for her even if he did not realize it yet. Lucy also could tell that Joliet adored her brother in that same moment. Lucy was filled with happiness. Back home Ben was always so shy and never had luck with the girls. Only recently had he started to express interest in them. Lucy turned back around to see Lingley moving slowly around the corner. The path out of the cave was lined with tall hedges that were over ten feet high. No one in the party, including Growler could look over them. It was as if they were now in a maze.

“I didn’t think I would make it through the tunnels, they were getting so small.” Growler revealed.

“What do you think we have in store next.” Pierre questioned.

“I don’t trust this little guy. Why was he turned into a Sledgton? And who cast the spell?” Pierre was suspicious.

“Spread out but stay within reach of each other.” Growler ordered. “Let’s be prepared in case we are attacked.”

The team created a diamond with Growler in the lead. Max and Baggy were on either side. Roscoe, Pierre, and Lucy were in the middle with Joliet and Ben in the back. Lingley was out front leading the group on. To what Growler and Pierre wondered. Growler motioned them all to be quiet and waved for Pierre to join him up front.

Growler spoke to Pierre quietly so no one else heard.

“Pierre, I don’t like this either but I have begun to trust Lucy’s ability to feel things. There is something special about these two kids and their powers are growing. I am not sure what it is but someday they will save us all.” Growler whispered.

“I too get that feeling but right now they are still venerable.” They cannot save anyone right now.

“Agree. Make sure Roscoe understands to protect Lucy at all costs.”

“Will do, what do you think this Lingley thing is up to.”

“I am hoping he is leading us to the door of Isar.” Growler’s face expressed his concern.

“You believe it exists?” Pierre was not convinced of all these legends.

“After what I saw in the caverns, yes.” Growler’s face expressed his convictions to Pierre. Pierre was convinced. He knew his old friend very well. Once Growler had a feeling it was locked in. There was no reason to question it.

Suddenly Lingley re-appeared around the corner. He waved for all of them to follow in silence. The band moved forward keeping their formation as best they could. The band entered the maze, as they continued the scent of the flowers began to enchant them. Baggy was the first to be distracted. Joliet nudged him.

“Keep moving you fool bear.”

Baggy shook his head to clear himself. Quickly he was back on track. Max was next. His ears perked up. His head became cock-eyed. The large dog started to move off to his left. His tail began to wag back and forth. This reminded Ben of the dogs back home. His friend Robert had a labrador mix that would often react the same when Robert make odd sounds. His dog Prince who start to whine as if to ask what was going on. Ben smiled at the memory. Then he shoved Max. Max growled a little then realized what was happening.

“Sorry Ben.” Max apologized then caught back up to the formation.

“What is going on? The animals are being attracted by something in the trees.” Ben asked Joliet.

“It is part of the trap. Don’t be seduced by the maze.” Joliet quickly responded. Her concentration exhibited by her quick and terse response.

“Look ahead.” Roscoe was the first to see the glowing door.

“That is it.” Growler confirmed. “The door of Isar.”

“We are almost there.” Lucy was excited.

Suddenly Lingley stopped less than 10 yards away from the door.

“What is it?” Lucy asked.

Lingley did not answer. His focus was elsewhere. Everyone looked around. Nothing seemed out of place. Lingley turned to Lucy and took her bag. Quickly before anyone could react he thrust her arm into the bag. She reached inside and drew out a large stone. It was the size of a basketball. Lingley quickly snatched it from her and threw the bag back to Lucy. Lingley carried the stone a few feet forward. Carefully he laid the stone down. He stepped back and motioned them all to be still. Nothing happened. All waited moments. Then Pierre was the first to move. Arrows began to rain down upon Pierre, quickly he dove away from the group landing inches away from the trees. He froze. The arrows had just missed him. Lingley looked back. His look threw daggers at Pierre. Pierre nodded. He understood now. There was more to fear from the door. They were not clear just yet.

“This will be interesting” Joliet whispered to Ben.

Ben was not listening. Something else had his attention. As the team had moved forward Ben had sense something but since all were moving together he did not realize what it was. Now that all were quiet, the sensation was stronger. Suddenly an image of Sylvester came to him. He closed his eyes and tried to see with his other senses were telling him. Slowly the images came to him. He could see everyone around him but not as with his eyes but with the images of heat. Ben began to move forward.

“Ben, what are you doing. Stop.” Joliet tried.

Ben threw his arm up. He was ok. Everyone froze and watched as Ben made his way toward the door. Lingley watched curiously as Ben moved past him. Ben reached down and lifted the stone up. He could sense the path to the door. Orange and red images were in front of him. He saw the path. Blue circles led the way. Ben slowly stepped on the circles and as he did each member of the team held their breath. Lingley watched in silence. Even he had heard the stories of the twins but now he was living the stories. Hope swelled in his heart. With each step that Ben took. Eyes closed and concentrated Lingley was being convinced of the tales. Here was the twin. Lingley looked quickly back at the group. Who was the other twin? The small girl in the middle of the group or the one that this boy was with. Lucy or Joliet, he could not tell. Each was now looking at the boy with such love and passion. He looked at their eyes. Both girls had big passionate eyes. The one that befriended him had bluish green eyes. The one in the back had brown eyes. Lingley thought of the composition of the group and realized that they were protecting the one in the middle, that must be her. She also was the one who freed him. He was confident now.

Ben stepped closer to the door. He was now a few feet away. Ben searched for the place to set the stone down on. How was he going to know where? He stopped walking. To the left and then back to the right. No where did he get a feeling. He opened his eyes. Now with his normal senses he saw the door for the first time. It glowed a luminous yellow. Writings were on the door. He could not understand the words. He searched the surface. Images were drawn into the door. Still nothing made sense to him. So close but still if he made a wrong decision now all would be lost. Think Ben think. He started trying to tie the images together. What made sense? Circles, squares, triangles. He closed his eyes again and looked behind him. He had followed the blue circles up to the door. He breathed in deeply. He had to trust himself. What was his first impulse? To the left? To the right? He opened his eyes again and looked for his sister.

Lucy was looking directly at him. Their eyes met. The two had always been there for each other. She would know the answer. What should he do, his eyes asked her. Both closed their eyes and concentrated. His images soon were being sent to her. She could see with her eyes shut.

Ben turned back to the door. He opened his eyes and looked upon the door. As his eyes traced the door and the images, Lucy was now able to see them clearer. The two were working together through the distance. Lucy saw the images. Circles were laid out in a pattern. The squares were following the square outline. Now the triangle. Yes that was it. The triangles held the key.

Lucy suddenly knew the answer. She stepped forward. Everyone held their breath. Ben looked back, Lucy’s eyes were shut. He closed his eyes. She then saw the blue circles as well. She followed Ben’s steps. Everything was silent. The only sound was the gentle footsteps of Lucy. Each step brought her closer to the door. Soon she was next to her brother. She grabbed his hand. Ben almost dropped the stone. It was heavy and he could barely hold the stone with his one hand. Lucy reached out with the other hand and help him with the stone. She guided the stone to the left. There on the ground was a small pedestal only a one inch square space. Ben had not noticed it. The stone was gently placed on there. Ben and Lucy opened their eyes and both looked at the door.

Joliet held her breath. She had watched Ben with extreme concentration. She was in the back and no one could see her reactions. She wondered what was happening to her. Why did this boy touch her this way? He did not even know how she felt. He had spent time with her sister. Her beautiful sister. The one that got everything. She burned with jealousy. This time she would not get her way. Joliet made a commitment. Ben would be hers and not Adrienne’s.

The air was still. No one moved. Not a sound was in the air. Ben turned and looked at Lucy. Lucy smiled. She reached for the door. She placed her hand upon the door. It was cold to the touch. Then it began to warm. The color of the door started to change. Lucy kept her hand on the door. It remained warm but did not grow any hotter, just right. The door changed from yellow to white, to red and finally blue. Lucy pushed gently on the door. It swung open. Past the threshold there was a mist. Dense enough that nothing could be seen past it. Lucy turned and looked at Ben. Lucy then turned to Lingley. He looked at Lucy and she knew this was the end for Lingley. She could sense his feelings. She reached for his hand. He clasped hers. She saw his family. He had to go back home.

“Good luck.” Lucy said quietly to Lingley. He nodded back to her. Ben grabbed his hand as well. Lingley looked into his eyes. The two paused in an inaudible conversation.

“We shall meet again.” Lingley broke the silence.

The small elf turned and stepped through the mist. He was gone. Ben and Lucy looked at each other. They looked back at their friends and with hands together they stepped through.

Roscoe was the first to run to the door. He jumped through the doorway. Baggy and Max met at the door. Max sniffed the door. They reluctantly pushed through the mist. Growler turned to his old friend Pierre and waved him past. Growler would be the last one through. Joliet Slowly stepped up.

“Be brave my child.” Growler gently said.

“Don;t worry about me old man.” Joliet said defiantly.

Joliet had the most fear of all the team. She had grown up under the lake, she was not accustomed to taking a step into the outer world. She looked Growler in the eyes. Fire burned in her. Growler was impressed by the intensity she possessed. He laid his hand on her shoulders.

“Go to him. You will win him over someday. Never give up.”

Joliet remained silent. Growler guided her into the doorway. She stepped through. Growler was the last. He looked around behind him. He knew in his heart that he was in the midst of something larger than himself and even larger than the team itself. He welcomed the task. He finally stepped through.

Lucy looked for Lingley, but she knew in her heart that Lingley was off to find his family and be reunited with his children. She too wished that Ben and her would soon return back home. She missed her mother and father. The wave of emotions flooded over her. Ben held her hand firm and squeezed it to remind Lucy that he was there. She looked into his eyes and the two understood one another like they always did without speaking. They also both knew that they were close but they needed to be strong to bring back Charnac. Ben turned and looked around. The surroundings were familiar. He had seen this when he connected with Charnac. They were in the castle walls.

“We are here Lucy. This is the place I saw through Charnac’s eyes.”

“Where are the others?” Lucy asked. Just then the others popped through the air. First there was a small mist or cloud and then quickly the bodies filled in. Each member of the team had made it. The order of appearances was slightly different that when they stepped through the door. Pierre was the last.

“How come Pierre was last?” Lucy asked.

Ben quickly raised his finger to his mouth. Keep quiet was the signal. Each member of the team took heed and then slowly panned out. No other sounds were heard. Ben slowly made his way through the big hall. He closed his eyes again and let his body remain open for any senses. He was picking up something toward the right. He moved hesitantly toward the door. Pierre and Joliet quickly followed him. Growler motioned to Baggy and Max to follow him in the other direction. He wanted to see if there was anyone else about. Quickly the three found the stairs going up. Growler started up the stairs. Still there was no sound in the palace. It was as if the entire castle’s inhabitants had vanished. Where were they?

Roscoe and Lucy remained in the center of the room. Lucy was looking at the walls. She had noticed the tapestries. Intricate woven fabric with many depictions of events. She had seen these before. Similar to the images she could remember in Charnac’s house. Stories were told with these. She looked around. Lucy suddenly got an idea. Would she find what she was looking for? She searched each one. Nothing was close to what she wanted to see. No images of young adults or children. She was looking for a special pair of children or even adults. The walls were lined with images but still none to match what she was looking for.

As she turned on the far wall there was one hid away in an alcove. She stepped toward the tapestry. It was hidden in darkness. She quickly took her pack off her back. Closed her eyes. Then she reached into the pack. She took a few moments to search the bag with her fingers. There! She grasped onto the handle. The pack had never let her down and it was again providing what she wanted.

As she drew the object out of the bag, the room filled with light. She was holding a lantern. She stepped up to the woven artwork. Lucy froze immediately. Looking back at her was an image of herself exactly at the age she was now. Quickly she scanned the fabric. Capturing the images in her mind. Roscoe stepped up beside her and he too now saw what she did. There in the tapestry was the team. Max, Baggy, Growler, Pierre, Joliet, himself and the twins.

Ben turned the handle. The gate lock creaked. The sound broke everyone’s attention. In the quiet castle the sound echoed like a horn. Everyone looked around for any movement. All remain still, anticipating more movement somewhere. The gate would surely have alerted someone one now. They all prepared for the rushing guards, the charging soldiers coming to capture them at once. The team waited for minutes none wanting to even breathe. Still no sound. Pierre was the first to relax.

“Whew. They seemed to have all left.”

“Remain on guard. We cannot afford to be ambushed now. ” Roscoe warned them all.

“What are you doing Ben?” Lucy finally asked.

“I sensed something behind this door.” Ben answered quickly.

“The same sense that guided me to the door of Isar is now guiding me to this door and what lies beyond.”

Ben was now convinced that something was now aiding him in his quest. He was not afraid of anything behind the door. He confidently pulled the door open. The others braced themselves. The door opened loudly in the still castle. Ben stepped through the door before anyone could stop him. Joliet immediately ran ahead. Ben turned around when Joliet grabbed his arm.

“You are not going alone.” She yelled at him.

Ben smiled. He was actually quite glad she joined him. The two stepped down the stairs together. Joliet gasped. There on the steps lay Sylvester. Still and lifeless. Ben closed his eyes.

Roscoe stopped Lucy from following.

“Let them go. We need to stay here on watch.”

Lucy relaxed. She knew he was right.

“He is still alive”. Ben quickly pulled Joliet to the side.

Ben had survived one bite but he was not going to let anything happen to her. Joliet felt her blood rise as Ben touched her. The two paused for a moment, inches away from each other. Joliet suddenly looked away. The two then stepped past the gigantic snake. Once past they continued down into the dungeon. Charnac had to be down there. Ben wondered where everyone was. Did Sylvester attacked the guards or were the guards removed on orders? He was now fearful for Charnac. What if Sylvester had gotten to Charnac before they did? He continued faster down the stairs. The light was growing dimmer as they progressed further into the depths. The temperature grew colder.

“Ben, look!” Joliet was pointing to a cell with the door ajar.

Ben rushed in. No one was there. Quickly he returned to the hallway and made his way to the other cells. They were now down as far as they could go. Ben entered another cell, again no movement. This time however there was a body. Ben approached the body laying on the cell floor. As he turned the body over, Joliet let out a shriek. The body was deformed, just as Ben had thought. Sylvester had been down here. There was no sign of Charnac. Ben assumed this could not be Charnac. Charnac must have done something to Sylvester, only Charnac could have eluded Sylvester and knocked him out.

Ben turned and grabbed Joliet’s hand again. He wanted her close to him as they went back up. Sylvester may have woken back up and would be waiting for them. The two made their way back up the steps, this time as they approached the higher levels their pace slowed down. Ben pulled Joliet closer to him. He put his finger to his lip. No sound. Joliet could feel her heart beating in her chest. She wondered if Ben could actually hear her heart racing as he touched her. She wanted this journey back up the stairs to last forever. No one had made her feel this way before. Now this boy from another land was here and she wanted to keep him for herself.

Growler, Baggy and Max made their way up the large staircase. They made sure that their footfalls were as quiet as possible. This could be a trap. Growler led the way. When they reached the top landing Growler motioned Baggy to take the left. He wanted to keep the three together. No one straying off. Carefully the trio made their way down the corridor. Still no signs of life. The sun was out and its rays illuminated the castle through the huge stained glass windows on either side of the great hall. Even up on the top floor the sun’s rays reached. Growler was amazed at the amount of light that was filling the castle. He had always heard stories that Shamus’ castle was dark and gloomy. Today, thankfully this was not the case.

Baggy motioned Growler that he was going into the first room. Growler signaled to move slowly and to keep his eyes open. Baggy nodded and entered the room. Everything seemed normal. Nothing was out of place. A typical bedroom. Even the bed was made. Clean and orderly. Then Baggy looked on the walls. Tapestries were hung on the far wall behind the bed. A large dresser on the right, a small window on the left. No weapons could be seen. Nothing in this room of interest. Baggy moved back out into the corridor. Growler’s eyes met. Baggy nodded in the negative. Growler motioned the trio to move to the next room. This time Max entered. This room was similar to the other ones but as Max started to enter something alerted him. His keen nose detected an odor. Max stopped, turned and headed back out into the hallway.

“What’s the matter?” Baggy whispered.

“Something is not quite right in there. I think we all need to check it out.” Max expressed his concern.

“Ok, let’s move carefully.” Baggy replied

“Max. What the hell are you doing coming back out? Something bugging you boy?” Growler asked the dog. Growler asked more for himself than to Max since he could not understand Max yet. All he heard was Max whimpering to Baggy.

“You fool animals. Let me check this out.” Growler commented quickly.

“Be my guest!” Baggy grunted.

“I wish he would understand me.” Max complained to Baggy.

“Oh if only he would. Might give him a start.” Baggy responded. Max chuckled.

Growler was cautious as he entered the room. He senses tensed. This was different than the other rooms. Growler understood Max enough to know when something was bothering him. Usually Max was fearless but his good companion had instincts that were talking to him now, Growler sensed it too. He turned back to the door and whispered for Baggy and Max to join him. He looked around the room. The light was dimmer and the air heavier once he stepped into the room. Something was on the floor. Growler crouched down and slowly approached the figure. It was a body. Growler drew his knife, better to be safe. He gently poked the body. No movement. He could tell the body was breathing. Growler nodded for Max to take a look. Max crept up to the body and sniffed. The body moved and Max sprang back, teeth bared. Baggy went to the body next and rolled it over. In an instant Growler knew who it was. He quickly reached down and picked up Charnac. He carried the body out of the room and into hall.

Once out in the hallway he laid Charnac down and Baggy quickly pulled out his flask. He poured a little water onto Charnac’s lips. Charnac’s mouth soaked the water up. His tongue fast to react. When the water made its way into Charnac’s body it replenished it. As a desert blossoms with just a hint of water, so too was Charnac blossoming. Suddenly Charnac’s eyes opened. The shock of seeing a grown bear hanging over him, Charnac recoiled away from Baggy.

“Steady. He is a friend, we all are.” Growler said quickly to ease Charnac.

“Who are you?”

“I am Growler. A friend of Lucy and Ben’s.”

“Are they still alive?” Charnac quickly asked.

“Oh quite alive I would say. They are here to rescue you.”

“No, we must get them back to Eloise.” Charnac was desperate. He quickly arose to his feet.

“Sylvester is here.” Charnac said.

Baggy and Max exchanged glances. Quickly they turned and headed immediately back down the stairs.

“Wait! I must retrieve something from the room.” Charnac spoke.

“Go Baggy and Max, I will stay with Charnac. Go and protect the kids.” Growler commanded the two. He did not have to convince them. They had both seen Sylvester and knew what he was capable of.

Once the two beasts were gone, Charnac turned to Growler.

“I am glad you are here. Seems those two kids have something guiding them along the way.” Charnac spoke first.

“I know they came to my house from the plains alone. Not too many wander about around my place.”

“No time to talk now. We need to find something back in that room. We need to be careful. There are traps in there. The last one was why I was out cold in there.” Charnac reached with his arm around his back and pulled out the dart.

“Not enough to kill, but just enough to knock cold. Shamus wanted to capture his prey.”

“So Sylvester could finish them off, no doubt.” Growler finished Charnac’s thoughts.

“Yes, we must find the sphere of Isar.”

“You think it is in there? How do you know this?”

“With these.” Charnac drew two small balls out of his pocket. Each had a slight glow about them. One red and the other blue.

“Watch.” As Charnac moved the balls into the room the light from each intensified.

“These little guys will lead us to where Shamus has hidden the sphere. I was fearful that he had taken the sphere with him, but I believe he does not fully understand its power.”

“Otherwise he would not have left it here unguarded?”

“Precisely. They are guarded but not too strongly.”

“You mean Sylvester?”

“Yes”. Charnac smiled as he said this. He was now convinced that they could retrieve the sphere and get back to Eloise before it was too late, but they needed to hurry.

Ben moved closer to Joliet as they moved up the stairs. They both anticipated seeing Sylvester still asleep, but there was also a chance he was awake and waiting for their return. As they climbed the stairs they saw his body still in the same place they had left it. A sigh of relief came out of both of them. Joliet remained close to Ben. He did not mind. The two move slowly toward the sleeping giant. Carefully they began to pass. The snake suddenly rolled to one side, just missing Joliet. Ben pulled her closer to him. He lifted her up and over the snake. Her heart pounded in her chest. As he slid her down their faces passed each other. Their eyes aligned and both peered into the others. Without thinking, Ben kissed Joliet. Joliet closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment. They both drifted away while their lips met. The energy and passion swelled in both of them. Their paths were sealed forever.

Charnac held one of the small balls in each of his hands. He slowly moved within the room based on how the balls change in intensity. As Charnac moved Growler keep his eyes open for any more traps in the room.

“Stop!” Growler yelled at Charnac.

Charnac stopped and watched as Growler carefully moved in front of him. Growler used his sword to move ahead. As his sword passed, Growler would follow. As he stepped forth after three steps his sword froze.

“Ah, I think I found another, shield yourself.” Growler commanded Charnac.

With dexterity that few large men were capable of, Growler reached for the wall. Gently he pressed the wall in a certain pattern. As his fingers made the last movement and the final space on the wall was pressed, a door swung open from the wall revealing a huge spiked plate poised to come crashing out of the wall. Growler fastened the latch to hold the plate in place.

“I think you can now move forward sir. ” Growler said to Charnac.

“Thanks” Charnac said quickly.

Charnac then moved forward as the balls began to brighten. The light from the balls made the room brilliant with glowing lights. The colors changed from white to yellow, orange and then red. Further ahead the balls began to turn purple and finally stopped at blue.

“There!” Charnac pointed to the far wall.

A section of the wall began to glow purple.

“The sphere must be in there. Now we need to figure out how to open the wall.” Charnac was gleefully pleased.

“Let me look” Growler commanded. Growler now had confidence that he knew how Shamus operated his locks. He went to work examining the walls and the areas around the wall, floor to ceiling. There must be something that would release the hidden compartment. Growler searched the walls. Up and down, nothing appeared to him. Nothing to push or slide. He stood back. Charnac examined the room. Nothing stood out.

“There must be something. Let me have one of those.” Growler grabbed one of the glowing balls. As he brought the ball close to the wall where it was glowing the ball was pulled to the wall. The attraction was with such force that Growler could not remove the ball from the wall.

“That really helped.” Growler said disgusted.

Suddenly the other globe began to shine brilliantly. Charnac released the ball and it too was drawn to the wall. Growler tried to catch the ball but was too late. He looked at Charnac with dismay.

“Relax, look.” Charnac said calmly.

Charnac pointed at the wall where the two balls were stuck. The light became more brilliant. Growler and Charnac had to shield their eyes from the light. The wall then disintegrated as the balls broke through the walls in their attraction to the sphere grew. Suddenly there was a large explosion, knocking both Growler and Charnac to the floor. As the two were rising from the blast they were amazed at what they saw. Left in the room was a larger globe now illuminating a blue light. Charnac instantly knew it was the sphere of Isar. He grabbed the globe. It felt warm to the touch, as he held it the temperature grew warmer until he could not stand it any longer. He dropped it on the floor. Growler then reached for it and he too could not hold the sphere the temperature grew too hot for his hands as well. Suddenly Lucy raced in and grabbed the sphere quickly and shoved it into her backpack. Once inside, her backpack lit up in brilliantly colors. The bag did not grow hot.

“Guess I will have to carry this back with us.” Charnac and Growler looked to each other and shrugged their shoulders.

“Guess so” They both answered together. The three al smiled.

“I heard the explosion and had to see what was happening.” Lucy finally said.

Baggy and Max were also standing in the room now. Roscoe remained in the hall on lookout. What other traps did Shamus have in store for them?

“Ok, now we must get back to Eloise.” Charnac commented.

“How?” Ben said as he entered the room. Joliet by his side. Lucy could tell something had changed with them. She smiled without a word. Ben diverted his eyes.

Now all the team members were now back together. Charnac looked over at Ben and smiled, his eyes then drifted quickly to Joliet. He saw the relationship had changed as well. He smiled to himself, not revealing what was obvious to him.

“Yes, let’s get back downstairs. I want to see what Sylvester knows.” Charnac wanted to question the big serpent. Now that he had a team he could confront the snake.

As the team made their way back down they discovered that Sylvester had disappeared. All froze and began to look around. This was one confrontation none wanted to see on Sylvester’s terms. To their delight there was no sign of the gigantic snake. He must have taken the opportunity to escape.

“Well, we can’t look for him now.” Charnac responded to the unspoken question.

“We must get back to the kingdom before it is too late.” Charnac and Ben exchanged glances.

Charnac wanted to stay and look for Sylvester but in that same glance Charnac and Ben understood one another. Charnac would have to look for Sylvester another time. Roscoe led the team through the castle. Once at the main gate Charnac took the lead, and out the castle gate the team followed. Through the gate lay the fields before them. Ben wondered how they would get back to the kingdom in time. The door of Isar was inside the mountain and there appeared now way to return.

Once outside the castle Charnac instructed the team to go into the open field. There the team stopped. Charnac began to instruct the team.

“Ok everyone. We must form a circle. Lucy you will need to be in the middle with all of us around you.” Charnac was calm but direct. “Everyone grasp each other’s hands and whatever you do, do not let go once we begin to disappear.” Charnac was serious as he looked into each of the team member’s eyes. There would be no discussion.

“Disappear? What are you talking about? Asked Pierre, who had been quiet during the journey out of the castle.

“Lucy has the sphere of Isar in her backpack. Lucy you will now need to draw the sphere out.”

“Charnac, how will she be able to hold it?” Growler asked.

“Oh she will not be holding it. He will.” Charnac pointed at Ben.

“How?”

“My dear boy, you have the markings of Isar upon you and the bands you claim on your arms represent the descendant of Isar.” All of the team then looked at Ben’s arms. The arm bands were now glowing as Lucy brought the spheres out. The sphere grew in temperature in Lucy’s hands as well and she quickly gave the sphere to Ben. As he held the sphere the temperature subsided. The globe felt warm in his hands but not too hot. It was actually pleasing to him. He smiled.

“Lucy, place both hands on Ben. I then place one hand on you.” Charnac instructed without any time for others to questions.

“Now everyone in order hold onto the the next person in the line and the last one will be Pierre. Pierre with your free hand complete the circle with Lucy. The circle now wrapped around Lucy and Ben.

“Ben you will need to concentrate on the kingdom where Eloise is. Close your eyes and picture a place within the castle. As you focus the world around us will disappear into a mist. No one release their hands until I say so.” Charnac was expressly specific about this.

They all followed his directions and when Ben closed his eyes the mist began to cover them all. The world outside disappeared in the mist. The mist grew denser, nothing could be seen around them. Roscoe let out a yell as the mist grew darker. His grip grew tighter on Max as the darkness closed in on all of them.

“No!!!” Lucy screamed as the mist cleared.

There beside her was Roscoe laying in a pile. His body had begun to transform. He lay there convulsing before them. He had been bitten by the giant snake. Charnac looked around, there was no sign of the serpent. He must have been waiting to strike in the tall grasses of the fields. Charnac shook his head. He should have been more careful.

“Quick get him to Eloise.” Charnac yelled. The team were inside the castle in Ben’s bedroom.

“I am here”. Eloise appeared at the door she was concerned and her mood was not happy to see them.

“Charnac we are in desperate need of help. Shamus has killed many of the men.” Eloise surprised everyone.

Adrienne will explain as I tend to Roscoe.”

Eloise instructed them to lay Roscoe on the bed. Roscoe was now covered in sweat and his right arm had begun to twist. A large bite mark was festering on his arm. That must have been where Sylvester attacked. Adrienne escorted the rest of the team out of the room and down the hall into another bedroom. Once were all in the bedroom the team looked at each other. Their concern for Roscoe was great but they knew they had to leave Eloise alone. Her magic would be Roscoe’s only chance.

“What happened?” Ben asked.

“After you left Shamus surrounded the lake. He then gathered up the Terrodons and gathered stones from the Quarry.” Adrienne said with sadness in her heart. Suddenly the palace shook.

“What is that?” Pierre asked.

“That is the Terrordons.” Adrienne answered.

“Terrordons, here? They do not like water” Pierre was astounded.

“They have been dropping the stones into the lake and the stones have come down crashing upon the kingdom. They do not enter the water.”

“Ah, very clever of our foe.” Charnac was impressed with Shamus’ tactic to the dismay of the others.

“Oh very good indeed, but not for us!” Exclaimed Growler.

“Go on dear, tell us what else everything that has happened.” Baggy asked.

“Well some of the men decided to escape to the top and try to get help.” Adrienne began to cry.

“What happened next.” Charnac asked, but he already knew.

“When the men came up out of the lake, Shamus had his men shoot them all with arrows. They were waiting for them. It was hideous. The bodies fell back down into the lake and sank.” Adrienne’s tears appear. She began to shake.

“And they hit the kingdoms dome, correct?” Pierre concluded.

“Yes”, Adrienne answered tearfully.

“Fortunately this will be Shamus’ downfall. We must be quick.” Charnac said.

The rest of the team looked to each other wondering what Charnac was up to. He directed Lucy and Ben to follow him. They made their way through the palace. Every few minutes another stone hit. How much longer could the palace hold, Charnac knew they had to act fast. No time for explanations. That would come later, hopefully.

As they entered the corridor down the main hall, both Lucy and Ben realized they had not seen this before. The corridor was dimly lit and was not decorated. This must have been on purpose to not draw attention to it. Charnac led them through a door at the end. Inside the room there again was another door, this one was well fortified. Charnac stopped and pulled something out of his pocket. Another globe, this one was yellow in color. He held the globe up high and then threw the ball at the foot of the gate. A smoke cloud arose. Out of the smoke Ben could now see that the gate had changed. Writings appeared above the door and down each side. Quickly Charnac read the writings but it was a language no one on the team understood. Growler could guess that the language was that of the ancients. Once Charnac had finished reciting the words the door began to open. Once the door was completely open, Charnac grabbed Ben and Lucy and quickly went inside. No sooner had they entered then the door closed behind them. Growler and the others were left on the other side. All in silence.

“Charnac! What is this place?” Lucy asked.

“Lucy, this is the sacred chambers of the rulers of this land.” Eloise appeared from the darkness of the room.

“How did she get here?” Ben asked.

“Never mind that. We have no time to lose.” Charnac was quick and direct.

“Does this mean you are both rulers?” Ben wondered out loud.

“In a way. Yes, it does.” Charnac answered.

“You two are married?” Lucy questioned.

“Oh, no. That would be very difficult.“Charnac laughed.

“We are related my child.” Eloise continued. “We are the same as you and Ben.

“Brother and Sister?” Ben asked

“More” Eloise returned.

“Twins!” Lucy replied.

“Yes, you are correct. You see twins have special powers in this land. Twins are connected as you already know, but in this land the power is even greater than I would assume it is in your world.” Eloise continued.

“And the globes that Charnac had when blended together create even more power.?” Lucy asked.

“Yes, precisely. See Eloise these two are very smart.” Charnac commented, giving Eloise a quick whimsical look.

“Charnac, you were wise to enlist their help.” She smiled back at her brother.

“Now children we will ask of you one more favor.” Eloise was now serious once again.

Ben and Lucy looked at each other tentatively. What did Charnac and Eloise have in store for them now? Neither one wanted to ask.