CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

THE VILLAGE

Abel handed Alexander a key that was twice the fairy’s size. “This will unlock the gate. You’ll have to find the lock. Good luck with that.”

Queen April gave Abel a reproving look and cleared her throat.

“Okay, we’ll unlock the gate,” Abel huffed. “But you and your friends need to look away.”

The gate made a sound similar to fingernails on a chalkboard as it opened, inch-by-inch, as hundreds of tiny fairies struggled with the massive gate. Alexander, always impatient, rushed forward to help the tiny stone fairies. Malley stopped him and shook his head at the boy.

“It would cause a world war if you were to interfere with this time-long tradition,” he whispered. “Be patient. Now is not the time for your shenanigans.”

Behind the gate was the forest, but the forest died centuries ago. Dark gray trees hung their leafless branches. It reminded Alexander of every horror story he’d ever read.

He looked at Malley, who was now a ghost-white shade of pale.

“Reminds me of Halloween,” Abby said with a half grin. “But we aren’t going trick-or-treating, and Morgan isn’t handing out candy.”

Malley said nothing. He remained frozen, still as a statue.

Alexander spun around to thank Queen April, but every one of the fairies had vanished, leaving no sign. Except for the open gate, you would never have known they were ever there.

                                                                 

Abby was less than pleased with the new scenery, not to mention Malley’s motionless state. She pointed over her shoulder at the leprechaun. “What’s up with him?”

“I don’t know. He’s been like this since they opened the forest.” Alexander waved his hand in front of Malley’s eyes. “Maybe one of the fairies hit him with a secret poisonous dart.”

“Figures. You can’t trust fairies.” Abby was twirling a strand of hair. “What’s next?”

“Don’t have a clue.” Alexander pinched Malley in the arm. “We need to wait.”

“Wait for what? For Malley to wake up?”

“Guess so,” Alexander said, gazing into the lifeless forest.

“My father has tortured people who have lapsed into comas,” Abby, standing next to him again.

“So,” replied Alexander, not caring who her father tortured as long as it wasn’t he.

 “It can take years for people to awaken from a coma if they don’t die first.”

Alexander sighed. “He isn’t gonna die.”

“How do you know? Are you a doctor or something?” She stamped her feet. “Malley might already be dead for all we know.”

“He’s not dead,” Alexander kicked Malley in the shins to prove his point.

Malley’s face frowned, which meant he obviously felt the kick. The forest held his attention. He just stared, mesmerized by the trees.

“This is becoming freaky. First, thousands of creepy fairies surround us. Then we come face to face with a forest straight out of Hansel and Gretel. Then Malley becomes a zombie,” Abby said.

Alexander recognized the irony. They were a girl and boy heading into a forest and their destruction at the hand of a witch.

“It’s far worse than you can imagine.”

“Malley, you’re alive,” they both screamed in unison.

Malley stumbled as if his short coma drained his strength. “It’s only been a legend until now,” he blurted out.

“What’s that? The creepy forest?” Abby hugged the leprechaun.

Malley backed away from the hug. “No. There is a legend of a leprechaun village that once flourished north of the copper mines.”

                                                                 

“I doubt there was ever a village here. It’s too spooky.” Alexander gazed beyond the trees.

“It was here. I know it. The leprechauns coexisted with the men, and they worked together, peacefully, in the mine.” Malley was still mesmerized.

Alexander tossed a rock into the trees. “And then the men killed them all?”

“No. They worked well with men for centuries until…” He wiped a tear away with a tissue from his pocket. “… until Morgan took over the mine and killed all the men and my kin.”

“Maybe Morgan didn’t kill any of them. Maybe she just made them all slaves.” Alex patted Malley on the head. “Don’t you feel better?”

Malley glared at Alexander. “Sure, you’ve been a great inspiration.” He gazed into the vast void of the forest in silence. “There has to be another way.”

Abby looked at Alexander with her vivid blue eyes as if all the answers came from his mouth. “There’s no other way. Isn’t that right, Alex?”

“Don’t ask me. I don’t have all the answers.” Alexander freaked out. “Stop looking at me like that. I don’t even know all the questions.”

“The two of you quit your bickering,” Malley said with a snap of his fingers.

Abby stuck out her tongue.

                                                                 

An icy wind rushed at them from the forest. A cold chill froze the three to the bone.

It feels like I’m eating ice cream in a blinding snowstorm, Alexander thought.

Abby, still in her red shorts, shook like a china cabinet in an earthquake. “I’m so cold.”

“Sorry, I can do nothing about the cold. There is no way to plan for such calamities.” Malley got on his knees and placed his ear on the ground. “I need silence.”

Alexander retreated to the mouth of the gaping canyon. Abby tried to stop her knees from banging together like cymbals.

Thirty minutes passed. The wind grew colder. Abby was sure frostbite ate her toes, and Alexander did his best to ignore the dim light glowing at the bottom of the crevice.

“He fell asleep,” Abby whispered loud enough for Alexander, fifteen feet away, to hear her.

“I’m not asleep, thank you, Abby,” Malley groaned. “I found out all I need to know,” he dusted himself.

“And?” the others said in unison.

“Obviously, we are in a bit of a bind, but not as bad as you would think.” He blew his nose and continued before any other interruptions. “The cold air comes from spirits of my ancestors.”

“Sorry, I guess I was wrong. Morgan killed them,” Alex said out of the blue.

Malley ignored the disturbance. “They apologize for the discomfort, but they have been dead for a long time and cannot create heat.”

“You’re forgiven,” Abby yelled past the door to the spirits.

“Yes, yes, apologies accepted.” Malley cleared his throat. “They have offered to escort us through the forest.”

Abby looked relieved. “Will it get any warmer?”

“I’m afraid not, as the spirits can’t help their condition. We don’t have time to find another way,” he said, talking to Alexander.

“You’re not telling us everything, are you?” Alex remained skeptical. “How can we trust that your spooky relatives will lead us through the forest and avoid Morgan’s Lair?”

Malley lowered his head before speaking, “I’m trying to avoid the unavoidable. The forest leads straight to Morgan’s doorstep.” Malley looked into the woods, shook his head before saying another word.

“And?”

“One of the messenger rats got free. We can’t go around the witch. She’s expecting us… and so is King Boyce.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

QUEEN APRIL

 Malley and Abby sat with their backs against the monolithic wall. Somehow, they had taken a wrong turn and found themselves lost. A dense forest to the left stood in their way. Suddenly, a massive jagged cliff fell, one hundred feet off to their right.

Alexander took his position near the gaping gorge, staring at the huge monolith in their way. He ran his hand through his hair as he thought about Abby. She was being even more annoying than usual, and he wanted nothing to do with her. If it came to it, he’d protect her, but he hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

The small amount of light coming from the crescent moon would not help in the event of a battle. Malley searched the ground near the thick tree trunks for kindling, but found none. Try as he might, he could not start a fire on the canyon’s slate ground.

Alexander wasn’t afraid of the unknown. It couldn’t be any worse than the rats from the diner or the flesh-eating mice in the castle’s prison. In his solitude, he felt sorry for causing O’Toole’s death. It wasn’t his fault though. He blamed Abby and her stupid King father for that. Abby was to blame for all his near-death experiences. She’s the one who pointed out the diner. He would never have entered if she didn’t enter first.

Just as he was blaming everyone else for his plight, Alexander’s conscience bothered him, and he admitted the truth. I’m to blame. Abby followed me in. I was hungry, and I would have entered the diner, even if a Tyrannosaurus Rex guarded the entrance.

“Come join us, Master Sighs. I don’t like the idea of you sulking on your own,” Malley whispered.

“I’m fine here.”

“Nonsense, you’re far better off here next to us. Misery loves company.”

“What does that mean?” Alexander questioned the leprechaun.

“I have no idea. I saw it on a greeting card.” Malley laughed. “You shouldn’t get too close to the edge. You could fall asleep and roll down the cliff and die, or worse.”

“Nothing is worse than death,” Alexander said as he confirmed he was a safe distance from the edge and his doom.

“Believe me, you can encounter a lot of possibilities that are worse than dying,” Malley continued.

“Yeah, like having a mean, diabolical King for a father,” Abby whispered.

“Get over here, now,” demanded Malley.

“Awe, do I have to?” whined Alexander.

“You better do as the leprechaun asks,” a tiny voice came from the dark void.

Alexander took a few seconds to react. The voice startled him. He was sure Abby and Malley thought the voice was that of O’Toole.

“That wasn’t O’Toole,” he whispered.

Alexander was still three yards from Malley when they appeared.

Thousands of human-like creatures only three inches tall exploded onto the scene. Some of them carried torches made from matchsticks. Others were armed with swords no bigger than toothpicks. They wore brown loincloths and white feathered vests. A somewhat taller creature stepped from the rear to the front. She wore a yellow daffodil on her head and waited patiently for one of the tiny creatures to scurry to her side. The second creature blew into the stem of a violet, producing a weak toot, and then unrolled a large scroll.

“Hear ye, hear ye,” he yelled at the top of his lungs. “By order of Her Majesty Queen April, the supreme ruler of the forest, keeper of the flame of truth, watcher over the light, protector of the mountain under the rock…”

Queen April stopped him with the wave of her hand. “They get the picture, thank you Abel.” She took several steps forward and eyed her intruders through a monocle, slightly larger than she was. “What an odd set of traveling companions,” she said after a long look.

“What…” Malley said.

Abel held his violet horn to his lips and yelled, “Silence.”

“Thank you again, Abel.” The Queen straightened her little Mumu and fluffed her vest. “As I was saying, it isn’t often we have such an array of visitors wander into our forest. Here we have a leprechaun, and a low-level one at that. We also find Her Majesty, daughter of King Boyce.” She curtsied.

Abby blushed slightly.

“Have they harmed you, Princess Abby?” asked the Queen.

Abby shook her head. “No, Your Majesty.”

“No? Odd. It isn’t frequently a princess would associate with creatures from the rainbow. As the rainbows are scarce nowadays, I can only assume this is not a joy venture.” She didn’t wait for an answer. “And the third member, I find most intriguing and peculiar.”

“I’m not peculiar, I’m…”

Abel placed the flower to Alexander’s ankle, but stopped when the Queen waved him off.

“That won’t be necessary, Abel. The boy and I know what is meant.” She tipped her daffodil crown and continued. “I feel you’re leprechaun-kinder, but wish not to be. Is that correct?”

Alexander nodded.

Queen April snapped her fingers, and a dozen creatures leaped to her side. They talked for a brief moment, looking over their shoulders at the group.

After some time, the Queen snapped her fingers again. “We have decided the boy’s fate.”

“My fate?” asked Alexander.

“Your destiny,” Abel said from the queen's side.

“Yes, your future,” the Queen clarified, almost as if she was awestruck. “If these were normal times, the sentence for trespassing would be a swift and fatal blow to the head.” Everyone in her presence watched breathlessly as she continued. “However, these are dire days and becoming more fearsome as the days lengthen.”

Alex let out a sigh of relief.

The Queen continued, fumbling for the right words. “The animals flee their habitat. Birds in the air are scarce. There is fear and unrest in the forest.” She unfastened her crown and her long blonde hair cascaded down her back. She was beautiful and reminded Alexander of a bite-sized Abby. “I have decided I will allow you to explain how you ended up in my kingdom.”

Malley’s mouth became dry. Few leprechauns encountered stone fairies and lived to tell about it. “Thank you, Your Benevolence. We are but poor travelers who lost our way.”

The Queen’s eyes glowed. “Am I to stand here while you insult me with lies?” She looked at Malley. “I’ll give you one last chance. Tell the truth, or I will unleash my wrath.”

Alexander stepped forward, careful not to step on the tiny royalty. “I was sitting at home minding my business when he…” Alexander pointed his finger at Malley, “and another annoying leprechaun showed up at my house with tales of adventures.”

“Please continue,” Queen April implored.

“They convinced me to go with them after they promised me it would be dangerous and we’d locate the missing unicorns.” He took a breath before continuing. “I’ve been almost destroyed by rats, attacked by spirits and giant pond squirrels, and am the youngest person ever on the King’s Most Wanted list.”

“It sounds like they kept the promise of danger.” Queen April smiled. “How is it you ended up here?”

“Everything was going just fine until they added her.” Alexander pointed to Abby with his thumb. “She’s an annoying girl, and boring. It’s her fault that my great adventure is miserable. To top it off, her dad arrested us. I escaped, that’s how we got here. Malley was right, we got lost. Sorry.”

The queen smiled and whispered. “I don’t blame you. Abby is beautiful. However, don’t confuse like for love. You’re far too young to waste your time with love.”

Now is Alexander’s turn to blush. Shocked and somewhat embarrassed, he bit his lip and looked back. “I know, that’s why I hate her,” he said, backing away.

The Queen motioned for her advisors to join her again. They argued for over an hour until she snapped her fingers.

“We have decided your fate once again. What you face is much worse than anything kind of punishment than I can think of. I know where your destiny lies. Morgan’s lair is just beyond the trees. Tread with care, for certain death awaits. You’re free to leave my kingdom, and free to return should you survive.” She stopped and whispered in Alexander’s ear. “Your secret is safe with me.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

MALLEY

Alexander stared in disbelief. He was tired from his near-death experience. He tried to stand, but wavered and fell to his knees. Abby helped to pull him up, and he leaned on her as a crutch. He wondered if his mind might play tricks on him, or maybe his eyes were still out of focus due to the dehydration thingy. After several minutes, he was Abel to stand on his own. He didn’t know how long the side effects lasted, having never suffered from dehydration before. He rubbed his eyes, blinked, and rubbed them again.

Flowers of every color and size lay before them. “How did they get here?”

“They’ve always been here. The question is how did you get here?” Malley said, filling his pipe with sweet smelling tobacco. “That is Longmire Forest, and beyond there is the copper mine.” Malley puffed on the pipe.

“And Morgan,” added Abby. A shiver ran down her spine.

Alexander craned his neck to get a better view of the area between them and the forest. “Why can’t we just go this way?” he asked. “The trees don’t look all that bad.”

“We can’t enter the forest from here.” Malley was overly cautious. “We need to find the Longmire Bridge. It’s the only safe way. Of course, there’s another option.”

“A shortcut?” asked Alex.

“Yes, a shortcut,” answered Malley, “but dangerous.”

“I’ve heard the shortest route from point A to point B is always best,” said Alex, quoting his math teacher.

Malley wrapped his arms around Alexander’s shoulder. “Be my guest. Abby and I’ll find the bridge. By the way, stay clear of those flowers.”  

“The flowers?” Alex whispered.

“Don’t worry. It’s nothing. Go ahead, but don’t face Morgan on your own. Wait for us. We’ll be there as soon as we can.” Malley tapped out ashes from his pipe on the soles of his shoes. He continued without looking at Alexander. “The flowers are pretty, aren’t they?”

“If you say so. I guess beautiful things can be dangerous too.” Alex winked at Abby as he spoke. “It’s nothing personal.”

“That’s okay. I’m interested in the flowers. They’re beautiful,” said Abby.

“So… I have to avoid all the flowers?” asked Alex, who thought it would be nice to collect a bouquet and surprise Abby with it.

“I’m glad you asked,” Malley radiated with enthusiasm. “Pay attention. I’m only going to go through this once.” He pointed into the tall grass where a plethora of colorful daisy-like flowers burst from between the blades. “A spore from one of those beauties will kill you instantly, and the leaves of another will cause madness. Another flower will bring eternal happiness while one just smells good. The problem is… I forgot which flower is which.”

 “I think I’ll go with you,” Alexander said after a few steps.

                                                                 

Malley smiled. “Wise choice, my young friend. Now, we must find the way to the bridge. Do you have any spots left?”

Alexander shrugged his shoulders. “Nah, but I suggest we go that way.” He pointed to the east.

“Did O’Toole tell you to go that way?”

“Nope, it just looks like it’s the way.” Alexander fixed his gaze to the east. They stood on a plateau overlooking the valley. The towers of the castle loomed in the distance and glistened in the afternoon sunlight. The valley sprawled out before them, a small miniature replica of his town. His mountain rose high above the valley on the opposite side of where he stood. Alexander swore he saw his parent’s house nestled in a crook of the mountain. That would be impossible as the house was so tiny and the mountain too large. He chalked it up as dreaming and sighed as he imagined his father instructing his brother in sword fighting or his mother teaching his sister in pageantry.

Malley tapped Alexander on his shoulder and startled him. “That is one great view. Few get to see it from this vantage point.”

“I think that’s the way to go.” He looked without taking his eyes from the castle.

Malley rubbed his nose and swatted a fly. “Think so?”

“I’m sure of it.” Alexander became mesmerized.

“Has your father forgotten about us?” Malley asked Abby over his shoulder.

Abby sat with her knees folded under her chin. “Not a chance. If I know him, he’ll be even more determined to find us because of what we backed at the castle.”

“There you have it. Going into the valley will be sure suicide. We might as well send up flares from here.” Malley wiped his hands together. “Discussion over. Forget about the bridge. Let’s head into the unknown toward the west.”

Alexander stood with his arms folded and his feet apart. “I thought you said that way was dangerous.” He removed his thumb. “I believe we should go east, toward the bridge.”

“Not a chance. If we go that way, we won’t survive long enough to be eaten by Morgan,” declared Abby.

“He’s right. We can’t chance it. To return to the valley would be a folly,” O’Toole whispered.

Alexander lowered his shoulders.

“We want you to be alive long enough to face possible death.” Malley helped Abby to her feet. She wiped grass away from her shorts.

Alexander looked at her, hands clutched to his sides.

                                                                 

It’s getting late, and we have a long way to go before we stop for the night,” said Abby.

Tall grass rustled followed by a loud gnawing sound from the lawn.

“Might I suggest we start now?” Malley looked at the gnarly steep hill leading to the west, his chosen direction. “The path appears to be impassable and impossible. Who knows what kind of beast is ahead of us.” He motioned for Abby and Alexander to back away from the grass. “Maybe Alexander’s suggestion is the wisest choice. We’ll go back down into the valley and hope for the best.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

SPOTS

Alexander’s eyes opened, but his vision was fuzzy, at best. He closed his eyes again; afraid he might still be dreaming. A gentle shake followed by the smell of turkey sandwiches brought him around. He knuckled his eyes to see if that helped to focus. It didn’t. “I can’t see who or what you are. I can only hope you feed me that turkey sandwich before you eat me. I’m starving.”

“And dehydrated.” A female voice beside him comforted him. “You’ve been out for hours and should be happy we got tired of waiting for you and came looking.”

“Abby?”

“Of course it’s Abby,” Malley answered. “Who else would it be, stuck out here in the middle of nowhere?”

“I think I’m going blind,” Alexander whispered. Abby was holding his hand, and he jerked it away, causing her to flinch. “I’m not THAT blind.”

 “Nonsense,” Malley laughed. “You’re dehydrated. Once we get some food and drink into you, you’ll be fine.”

“You’re a fool.” Abby shook her finger at Alexander.

Malley looked at Abby. “Now, now, this isn’t the time or the place to condemn our young friend.” With his hands on his hips, he chastised Abby and then turned to Alex. “You’re a fool.”

Alexander blinked his eyes in an attempt to focus. “What did I do?” he protested.

“Well, other than going out into the desert alone, and without a chaperone…”

Alexander interrupted him. “You sent me out there.”

“Don’t interrupt me with facts. The point is I told you to find where we were, not to traipse around the desert for three days.”

“Three days?” asked Alexander, visibly shaken.

“That’s what I just said, three days.” Malley observed his young charge. “I wouldn’t hazard to guess what might have become of you if we didn’t show up when we did. We found you alone, might I add, mumbling something about red unicorns—”

“And spots, don’t forget the spots,” Abby interjected.

Malley shook his head. “And spots. Did we mention what a fool you were, going off alone like that?”

Alexander licked his lips. His tongue seemed to have swollen to twice its normal size. “Water?”

“Water? Oh yes, I forgot.” Malley brought a small flask of water from inside his pocket. “Drink slowly,” he admonished Alexander. “Not too much at once.”

Alexander gulped down the water and then wiped his mouth with the back of the hand. “I wasn’t alone.” There was a far-off glint in his eyes. “I was with O’Toole.”

“Stop it,” Abby blurted out with tears in her eyes.

 “I suspected that might be the case.” Malley rubbed his bulbous nose. “Abby, I told you what might have happened to O’Toole. What do you think now?”

Abby continued to sob.

“It’s true, Princess,” Alexander stated, but the voice was not his own. It was O’Toole. Then the voice was gone.

Abby ran to Alexander, gave him a hug, and kissed his cheek. “O’Toole, you’re not dead?”

Alexander squirmed from Abby’s grip while wiping off the kiss. He looked at Malley for help.

Malley sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “As I have already told you, Alexander has a significant portion of O’Toole’s… intelligence, for lack of a better description.”

“You mean like possessed by O’Toole’s soul?” asked Abby.

“Yes and no.” Malley scratched his head. “A soul cannot be transferred from one to another. It’s more the essence of O’Toole.”

“Huh?”

Malley shook his head. “I told you it was difficult.” He snapped his finger as if he just thought of something spectacular. “O’Toole swore an oath to complete this quest, no matter what happened to him.”

Blank looks greeted him.

“Death does not remove the oath. That would be too easy.”

More stares.

“O’Toole is still obligated to finish the oath. It’s that simple. Alexander will remain… um… possessed by O’Toole until the quest is completed.” He wiped his forehead and whispered, “Or Alexander’s death.”

                                                                 

“What?” asked Alexander? “We didn’t hear the last thing.”

“Nothing, ignore it,” Malley said quickly. “What, if anything, did O’Toole tell you?”

Alexander, still sitting on the ground drew a circle in the sand. “You don’t wanna know.”

“I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t want to know.” Malley noticed Abby remained silent. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

Malley placed his hand on her shoulder as Abby sobbed. “It isn’t fair.”

Alexander looked at her. “Would you wish the mice ate me instead?”

“No, I wish they had devoured that nobody. It’s just I can’t come to grips with the thought that he’s gone.” She dried away a tear. “I hate my father.”

“O’Toole’s not gone.” Alexander wiped his mouth with his hand. “I mean, he’s the ghost inside me.”

“O’Toole is not a ghost, he’s a spirit,” Malley shook his head. “And as for Abby, O’Toole knew full well the risk involved. Sure, he didn’t foresee he might give up his life by mice. He knew that we might not survive the quest. And you don’t hate your father.”

“Yes, I do.”

Malley just rolled his eyes. He knew an argument with a preteen girl could only prove disastrous. “Whatever you say, Your Majesty.”

Abby stared at Malley and gave him the icy cold shoulder with her nose in the air.

He turned to Alexander. “What did O’Toole tell you? It’s important.”

Alexander fought the urge to comfort Abby. The urge made his skin crawl, yet he felt compelled. “He said we need to go to see Morgan.” He offered his hand to Abby.

A stunned look came on Malley’s face. “Do you mean Witch Morgan or another Morgan?”

Abby smiled and held Alexander’s hand next to her cheek.

“Witch Morgan,” Alexander answered Malley.

“There must be a mistake. O’Toole knew we were to avoid the witch.”

“You asked me what O’Toole told me.” He reluctantly jerked his hand from the girl’s embrace. “I told you.”

“It’s suicide,” replied Malley.

                                                                 

 “Tell me about the dream.” Abby sat next to him with her knees held to her chest.

“I don’t remember too much about it. All I know is it was the second time I’ve dreamt it.” Alexander scratched his cheek. “Oh, and there were red unicorns.”

“Sounds spooky,” Abby, sighed.

“Tell me something, Alexander, about the spots you were told to follow.” Malley acted concerned.

“Sure.”

“Did you say they were leading you back to us? To the cave?”

“Yup. Would have made it too, if I didn’t fall asleep.”

“I’m afraid the spots led you in the opposite direction. You didn’t find us. We found you after three days of searching.” Malley pointed behind Alexander.

Alexander turned to see where Malley was looking.