Chapter 1-2

Chapter 1-2

 

EJ slowly opened his eyes while in his Ma’s arms after being away for so long. He smiled as he looked into her face. With tears in her eyes, Martha greeted him with a warm smile and said, “Good morning, my little one,” holding him close. Tears flowed down his cheeks when he saw his mother, Martha Downing, holding him again after many weeks and months of being held prisoner in Morgan’s cells. His sisters, Julie, and Anna, were ecstatic as they all wept, seeing his smiling face, and holding his hand, kissing his little cheeks. As he glanced around the cavern, noting everyone’s efforts, he saw his brothers Robert and Will preoccupied with their father, Wayne Downing his Pa, who differed greatly from his father Jim Stuart. His three little brothers Sam, Ted, and little Danny to be close by, making sure nobody could disturb them.

His sisters were so happy that they all wept, seeing his smiling face as they held his hand in theirs, kissing his little cheek. He did not care as he tried to hug them each, but he was too weak to muster a soft one. His brothers were busy with Pa as he looked around the cavern with his eyes, watching everyone working. So much had changed not only in their appearance but in their eyes, seeing something more, yet he couldn’t remember what it was; for the moment, he didn’t care, for he was home with his family where he belonged,

Pa hurries over, leaping two steps at a time, with his brother right behind him. Then he kneels next to Ma so EJ can see him. Pa picks his son up in his arms as gently as a butterfly in one arm. He holds him close to him and puts his little arms around his neck. EJ cries into his shoulder how much he misses him and all of them until there is nothing left but soft, dry tears of joy.

“Did you sleep well, son?” Pa asked, his voice filled with concern.

EJ whispers, “Yes, Pa, but please tell me my name?” he asked, looking around the cavern. “I do not think Jayden told me or anybody else. All I know is that we were all wood something. My mind is still a little foggy.”

Jayden returned to the Tweeds camp in the cavern’s corner. “Glad to see you awake, son,” he said, smiled at EJ. Now then, I need your father’s help for a while, young man, and see about finding some food and supplies for all of us before it gets dark.”

Pa carefully rubs his son’s head, placing him back on Ma’s lap, right where he belongs. Ma gently wraps the surrounding blanket, brushing his soft hair, and rocks him and the baby back to sleep. Jayden knows the chance of survival in these conditions is rare. They have nothing except the clothing on their backs, some with young children and babies.

Regardless of one’s possession of magical abilities, it hardly mattered when they were running away from something that was much more powerful than them. The only ray of hope was to find a safe haven; a place that had been long forgotten, hidden deep in the mountains, far away from the reach of many galaxies. He retrieved a map that he and Derrick had visited during their childhood. Only three of us know about its existence, he thought to himself. Me, Derrick, and Nathaniel, we all swore an oath to keep it secret with our lives until the hour was near. Except I was not the one planning to lead the group, Jayden said to himself as he looked at the Tweed family. “It should have fallen into Nathaniel’s hands. He is more qualified than I am. He was always a better swordsman than I will ever be. He can outmatch me easily in magic and wisdom. Why me?” He grumbled.

Jayden walked around the cavern and saw the fear in the people’s faces as he passed them. Even the children are afraid to play as they huddle close together like little frightened mice in a cage. Jayden spotted a couple of wizards hiding in a corner off by themselves. Nothing more than he hated his hidden secrets, except for the ones he knew as he carefully glanced over at the Tweeds. Jayden quietly walked over to where they stood, grabbing each other by the arm. Bring them to the middle of the room.

“Folks, I have just one thing to keep your mind occupied,” giving these two wizards a hard stare. “For tonight only … These two will astound you, surprise you, and make the little ones laugh as they put on a special magic show of wonder just for you. So, prepare yourself for a night of entertainment. With music and dancing like you never had before.”

Then Jayden takes up his staff and points up and around the walls of the cavern, said the words “nerveana dern nasta.” Lights the room up with colors of reds, greens, and blues as if the rocks themselves were coming to life. A soft yellow ray of light flowed down the cavern walls. The children screamed with delight as he laughed, watching their smiling faces. Jayden kindly walked the two wizards back to their corner of the cavern. “Remember, they want something that boggles the mind and is fun.”

“We don’t do card tricks or simple parlor tricks,” they replied.

“Well, you do now,” he said and walked away.

The room was abuzz about tonight’s fun as Jayden walked through the cavern, smiling from ear to ear. “How are you and the boys coming to get us some of those supplies?” he asked.

“Well, we cleared the first hurdle with the Kanee-a-bees’ help, sir. “Sir, with the Kanee-a-bees’ help, we cleared the first hurdle,” the captain replied. "Someone reported that most of the homes are damaged or flattened to the ground."

“What about my forest, my beautiful trees?” The fairy Queen asked.

“Sorry, my Queen-ship.” The captain looks down at the ground. It’s all gone like it was never there.”

The Queen looks at Jayden sadly, her eyes filled with sorrow. “Do you think some of my people made it more than just a handful?”

Jayden could not give her an answer as he walked away with a heavy heart. The news of the destruction was devastating. The forest, once a vibrant and thriving place, was now a barren wasteland. Yet for the people, he had to remain positive and not show his true feelings, realizing the strain and the responsibility he had was now on his shoulders.

Jayden had two problems. He was stuck here with this group that needed him the most. The second problem is that he still has a group of men down in EJ’s world in a camp doing nothing except guarding an empty field, looking for a boy who does not need rescuing now. He struggled between balancing his duty to protect his people and his desire to find his son. His strength was his determination and his leadership skills, but his weakness was his inability to be in two places at once.

Right now, he needed all his men within the cavern; any of them could be a spy or more. It is undeniable that someone from EJ’s world followed him back, leading to this extensive devastation, and there is a possibility that they are still present. He felt a mix of anger, fear, and determination. Determined to find the traitor and protect his family, he was angry at himself for not being more careful and fearful for the safety of his people.

Jayden paced back and forth, wondering what to do and thinking of the possibilities of each choice he made. Either way, it was a gamble, but one more day would not make a difference if he could give them a full belly, a roof over their heads, and a warm place to sleep. “If I have to sing them a lullaby and have those pains in the neck wizards tuck them in…it will be done,” he said to himself.

“Jayden, we broke through, and we’re sending out scouts now.” The captain replied.

“Well, that is good news,” he said.

“Yes, sir.”

Jayden saw the worry on his man’s face. “What is it?”

“Well, I can’t describe it as if everything is all dried up and gone?”

Jayden followed the man out of the tunnel into the open air. Devoid of any moisture or plant life for miles, the air was hot and dry. The homes stood severely damaged, on the verge of caving in at any moment. As far as the eye could see, the landscape was devoid of life, with dead trees, dried-up sticks, and crumbling old buildings scattered for miles.

Jayden knew what he needed to do. The families inside must not see this, for they needed hope and strength right now more than anything. “Captain, gather what you can and bring it inside the cavern.”

Jayden takes out the maps that Derrick left him of all the caverns in case of an emergency like this. He places a rock on the floor. He projects himself to each of these locations without leaving where he is at. As he guides them, he looks around all the caverns, with tears in his eyes for his people now.

The people in the caverns look up to see Jayden in the middle of the room like they did when they saw Derrick. “People of Springfield, we leave our town of Springfield behind with great sadness, but we will not forget it. We will build a new town, a stronger and better one, as it is the people in the town who will make it a rich and fruitful generation.”

“Our town is not just made of sticks and mortar, but of love and friendship, which holds it together. I have designated Captains for each of your locations, who will assist you, bring us all together in safety, cater to your needs, and provide support to any other survivors who may still be stranded before we set off on our journey to a new land of safety for all who wish to join.

“If not, I will do my part in wishing them a safe journey home with a simple warning, not that you need one. Ask yourself this question first. If you have one apple and you cut it into two pieces. Then, place it in one hand and one in the other. How many apples do I have? Then look outside under the stars, putting your hands back together.” Giving each smile as the light fades from his rocks. Jayden watched the first of the supplies being brought in.

“Sir, the Barracks cellar and some of the home fruit cellars were mostly still intact.” The captain replied.

“Now, what about blankets and some clothing for the children?” he asked.

“Right here, sir,” a man said, huffing and puffing with armloads with six more behind him. 

Jayden could see the cavern filling up quickly with supplies faster than he could hand them out. He needed hands; his men’s hands were all tied up with supplies and rescue efforts. Jayden needed to step back to take stock … “I have all the hands I need just sitting there watching me. Sir Drealin, you are just the man I need; find me someone in this lot that can do something with this … this…mess …” Jayden pointed to the pile of blankets, clothing, sheets, miscellaneous items, and whatnot. “And somebody that knows how to cook a meal without burning the place down around us.”

“Yes, sir, right away, sir.” Drealin looks towards Mrs. Tweed, pleased as punch with her boy in her lap.

“I think she’ll be just fine,” Jayden replies.

“Sir, it’s the boy I’m concerned about.”

“Who’s that?” he asked.

“He has had nothing to eat since he woke up, and he is thin as a rail; she cannot keep him warm, so she is holding him so tight with the blanket. She hoped he would go back to sleep until we find something for him.”

Jayden gasped. “Drealin, why are you just telling me this now?”

“Sorry sir, you have been a kind of busy―” He answered.

“Not that busy,” said Jayden, walking quickly over to Mrs. Tweed. “I hear the weather outside is rather nice. Would you and the boy like to take a quick walk outside with me?” Handing baby Jess over to her older daughter, taking Lily by the arm, and carrying on a friendly conversation. “Your husband has been a great help.” Jayden placed a can of meat into his pocket as they walked through the tunnel and walked briskly past her husband. “We’re going out for a stroll. Would you care to join us?”

Jayden, grabbing his arm, swings him around outside, away from everyone, behind a house, away from everyone. Jayden took the blanket, spreading it out on the ground so she could lay her son down. “As I was saying, nice day for a picnic,”

Jayden cast a heat spell to warm up the can of meat, popping open the lid. He gave Lily a hard stare as he handed her the can and a fork from his pocket. “Lovely weather we’re having for a picnic.” He picked up a handful of dry dirt, watching it sift through his fingers.

“Alright, alright, I get the point.” She said.

“I am glad, because my friend Jeff and I did not save this boy just so you could let him down. If he needs something, you tell me… whether or not I am busy. Right now, things are not as ideal as we would like them to be. So far, nothing has gone according to plan�"mine, his, and everyone’s plan. So, I am not making any more plans from now on. I am using what I know and what my gut tells me.”

“So, what is your gut telling you?” she asked.

“Well, it isn’t good,” Jayden said, looking around at this place. “If Morgan can do this without being here to do it himself, we are in deep trouble. Now then, my boy, you just lay here awhile, and your parents will take you back inside when you are ready.”

Ma watched Jayden leave, giving them a warm smile, and posting a couple of Captains, not that they needed any right now. Ma had been practicing her warding spell as she cast it around them. EJ heard her say, “Nosar-de-farna. He felt a slight tingle go up and down his petite body.

“Alright, son.” Pa watched him eat the last bite of meat from the can, wiping his chin. Pa smiled, rubbed his hair. “Ma has made it safe for you to ask anything you like.”

EJ smiled and took a deep breath. “Pa, I figured out most of it, but I am still a little lost. What are we, and where are we?”

“Well, you are a wood elf. We all are. Your brother Danny, too, Grandma, Richard, and your Aunt Mary. You are in a delightful place called Springfield, where beings such as us and other folks occasionally live. Now, to answer your question earlier, which I could not; none of us could; our lives and yours depend on it.

“Your name is Sylen, which means strong oak in Elvin’s tongue. As for your old name and ours, they do not exist anymore. Your old life is gone, and so is ours. We are no longer farmers, and I do not have farmer’s sons.

“I am now a Lead Captain and have my own men. We hunted and set up camps and tents, and you three boys helped me. Danny is part of our family, too; his name is Vanen. Every day, we carry on like an actual family; nothing changes. You are my son, just as it should be,” Pa said, hugging his boy. Now, when we go back inside, you must remember.

Ma looks at Pa, taking his hand and their son. “Just be yourself and play the game. Who can lie the best yet tell the truth?” she said. “You will get the hang of it; just watch and learn. After a while, I even forget who I am. But I never forget that you’re mine,” she said as she kissed his cheek and wiped the last bit of juice off his chin. “Are you feeling better now?” she asked.

“Yes, Ma, seeing the sun again just feel so good.”

“Good, because there’s a group of people headed this way, and I don’t want them to steal our spot.”

Pa laughed. “But Ma, you always said there is always room for one more.”

“Funny dear, that was before I had a house; now I have a corner.”