Empress of the Underworld (17 page)

He turned then and left the room.

Abbey sat down weakly, her knees feeling very unsteady. She thought of what he had said and went back to lie down. That night she dreamed of all that had taken place. But always she would remember his words, the kindness of his eyes, and the touch of his hand on her scar, and she smiled in her sleep.

Abbey rose at daylight and dressed quickly, then collected her things.

A servant announced, “It is time to leave, my lady.”

“I'm coming.” Fastening a cloak around her shoulders, she left the room. It did not occur to her that for once in her life she had not looked in a mirror to see if her hair was arranged properly.

When she came to where the other Sleepers had gathered, they were all prepared to leave.

Abbey said, “I'm ready.”

Everyone stared at her.

She faltered. “What… what's wrong?”

Sarah came over, her lips trembling. She reached out and touched Abbey's face. She could only whisper, “Abbey your scar—it's
gone!
”

Startled, Abbey touched her cheek, and a shock ran through her when she found it to be smooth and perfect. Her lips formed a name, and tears formed in her eyes.

“It was Goél, wasn't it?” Sarah asked, putting her arms around the girl.

“Yes. He came to me last night, and he touched me, but I didn't know—”

They all gathered around her then, and there was rejoicing among the Sleepers.

When Beren arrived, he could not believe his eyes.
“Now,” he said, “you have it all back again and more besides.”

After breakfast, Beren himself led the Sleepers through the caverns to the door to aboveground. It opened with a rustling sound, and as Josh stepped out into the sunlight, he let out a cry. “I've never seen anything so beautiful.”

He looked at the blue sky and white clouds, the green grass, and the trees waving their branches in the breeze. “I'm glad to be back out here again.”

Sarah asked, “Beren, don't you want to stay aboveground?”

“I will come up from time to time. But every man and every woman to his own place. The Underworld has its beauties too.” He turned to Abbey and whispered, “Will you not stay and be Princess of the Underworld?”

Abbey smiled and took his hands firmly. “No, Your Majesty. I must go with the Sleepers. That is how it is with the servants of Goél.”

There was sadness at the parting. Beren mounted them on fine horses, and as they rode away from the gate, some of that sadness remained.

“It's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there,” Jake said.

Sarah noticed that Dave and Abbey were riding very close together, and she smiled. Glancing across at Josh, she asked suddenly, “Would you like me just as well if I had a scar like Abbey had?”

Josh turned to her with surprise. “Why, I'd like you, Sarah, if you were as ugly as a pan of worms.”

Sarah laughed aloud. “You have a way with words, Josh.”

Reb was riding just behind them. “You know,” he
said, “a cousin of mine left home and came back with a bride. And she was bad ugly!”

Josh never knew when the Southerner was teasing him. “Real ugly, was she?”

“They said she was so ugly when she was a baby, they had to tie a pork chop around her neck to get the dogs to play with her.”

“That's pretty ugly.” Sarah smiled. “How did his family take it—his bringing home such an ugly girl?”

“Oh, they didn't like it, of course.” Reb shrugged. “But the groom, he said, ‘Well, beauty's only skin deep, Pa.' You know what his pa said?”

“What'd he say, Reb?”

“He said, ‘You'd better skin her then!'”

A laugh went up around the Sleepers who had been listening to this.

Josh said, “Let's get to where we're going.” He reached over and punched Sarah on the arm. “Don't worry. You're not going to get rid of me, no matter how homely you get.”

The seven rode on, trailed by the giant and the two dwarfs. They were all happy to be out of the Underground, but it was Abbey who seemed happiest of all. She glanced at Dave, who was looking handsome as usual, and said, “I'm glad to be like I am, Dave.”

“You look better than ever,” Dave replied with admiration.

But Abigail Roberts had learned better than to put overmuch value on looks. She said, “I mean I'm glad to be alive and healthy—and I'm glad to have friends like you, Dave. Come on. Let's go see what Goél has in store for us now.”

 

Go with Josh and his friends as they are sent by Goél, their spiritual leader, on dangerous and challenging voyages to conquer the forces of darkness in the new world. Ages 10-14. The books in
The Seven Sleepers Series
include:

Flight of the Eagles #1

The Gates of Neptune #2

The Sword of Camelot #3

The Caves That Time Forgot #4

Winged Raiders of the Desert #5

Empress of the Underworld #6

Voyage of the Dolphin #7

Attack of the Amazons #8

Escape with the Dream Maker #9

The Final Kingdom #10

 

The Lost Chronicles of several adventures of the Seven Sleepers have been discovered! The books in
The Lost Chronicles Series
include:

The Spell of the Crystal Chair #1

The Savage Game of Lord Zarak #2

The Strange Creatures of Dr. Korbo #3

The City of the Cyborgs #4

The Temptations of Pleasure Island #5

The Victims of Nimbo #6

The Terrible Beast of Zor #7

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