Empress of the Underworld (3 page)

“I am one of the Sleepers,” she said. “I am Abbey.”

The dark eyes of Lothar fixed on her, and he smiled again. “Well, I am fortunate. Can you take me to your friends?”

“They're gone on a mission.”

Disappointment swept over Lothar's face. “That I regret,” he said. “Will they return soon?”

“They shouldn't be gone too long.”

He stood and thought, as if he had forgotten her. “Well, that presents a problem.”

As he pondered, Abbey studied his fine garments and noted that he was not only splendid-looking but was also strong and athletic. Finally she said, “Perhaps if you'll tell me what you want, I can help.”

“Maybe so. In any case, I have no choice.” He hesitated only a moment more, then said, “I come from the Empress of the Underworld. You have heard of the Kingdom of the Underworld?”

“Why, no, I don't think I have.”

Amazement flashed across Lothar's handsome features. “I'm shocked to hear it. Your education's been neglected!”

“Is it far from here?”

“A two-day ride. Are you sure you have not heard of our Empress and her wondrous kingdom?”

“No, never.”

“That will make things even more difficult. I have a message here for you.” He pulled a parchment from the inner pocket of his tunic. “Are you the leader of the Sleepers?”

“No, Josh Adams is our leader.”

“Ah, but he is not here. Still, you may read the message and give it to him.”

Abbey took the letter and opened it. It said, in beautiful script:

To: The Seven Sleepers

We have heard of your courage and willingness to serve those who are fighting against the Dark Lord. I, the Empress of the Underworld, beg you to come and help us. We are in great danger. We send the heir to our throne, Prince Lothar, with this message. He will accompany you back should you choose to come.

Empress Fareena

Ruler of the Mighty Kingdom of the Underworld

Abbey looked up at the tall young man. “We have gone on missions like this before. But, of course, what the Empress asks is impossible just now. When the others come back, we may be able to do something.”

“Could not you come and explain that to our queen?”

“Oh, no. I couldn't do that.”

“Why not? It would be very simple for you to leave a letter for this … Josh.”

But Abbey could only shake her head. “No, it must not be.”

“That is a regret to me.”

“Can't you wait one night? Perhaps they'll make a quick journey.”

Lothar seemed to think about her request and nodded.
“I could do that.” He looked at her oddly then. “You would like my country, the Underworld.”

Abbey wrinkled her nose slightly. “It sounds awful—like living in a hole in the ground.”

Lothar laughed aloud. He was very good-looking when he laughed. “You would not say so if you were to come with me.” He held up his hand with the huge diamond and asked, “Do you see this beautiful stone?”

“Yes. I've never seen one that large.”

“Large? Why, I've often been criticized for wearing such a
small
stone. In our throne room the walls are lined with stones like this. Also red and green and purple stones, more beautiful than anything you've seen.”

“Oh, it sounds beautiful! Not at all like a hole in the ground.”

“A hole in the ground? No, indeed.” He began to describe the underworld kingdom, mentioning that they had learned to spin beautiful silk and satin cloth.

And the thought of the women's gowns in yellow, red, pink, and gold made Abbey's eyes glow.

“We've learned to make good food too. Let me offer you some of this.” He opened the bag that was slung over his shoulder. “Come and sit. While you eat, I will tell you more about my world.”

Abbey sat down and began to sample the food. It was delicious! Better than anything she'd ever had. She said so.

“Why, this is just trail food. At one of our banquets you would taste something really good. Here—drink some of this.”

Abbey took the small silver flask that he offered, tasted the drink, and said, “Oh, it's delicious. What is it?”

“Just something we make for the royal table. I'm glad you like it.”

The food made Abbey's eyes brighter. She drew her
knees up and said, “Tell me more about your country, Prince Lothar.”

“Oh, you must not call me that. Lothar is fine. And perhaps I may call you Abbey?”

“Oh, yes, please do.”

She sat and listened, while the prince leaned back and talked. His country sounded like a fairy-tale land the way he spoke of it.

Then his face grew dark. “But we're in danger. Terrible danger.”

“Danger of what?” Abbey asked.

“We may lose our kingdom to the Underlings.”

“The Underlings? Who are
they
?”

“They are a terrible race who inhabit part of our kingdom. They're cruel and fierce.” His voice shook with anger. “And they would kill us all if they could.”

“How awful!”

“Yes, it is. They've already killed my father.”

“Oh, Lothar. I'm sorry.”

He shrugged and said, “They've tried to kill me many times. So far I've evaded them, but they grow stronger. Even while I'm away, I'm afraid they will strike at the queen. Then they will take the throne, and we will all be killed. Those beasts would rule our beautiful kingdom.”

“Tell me about the empress.”

“Ah, you would love her. She is beautiful and has many powers. Yet she is only one, and she has asked that you come. She has never asked for help before, so I fear the situation is perilous.”

He talked for a long time, finally saying, “Will you not come with me, Abbey?” His voice was gentle, and he took her hand. “It would be a wonderful sight for you, and you would be a jewel in my kingdom with proper clothes and your hair done as only my people know how to do it.
Besides, you would be doing a great service for the House of Goél.”

Abbey hesitated, then shook her head. “I can't decide now.”

“Very well.” He released her hand and got to his feet. “I can wait until morning, then I must return.”

“I will find you a place to stay tonight. But it won't be what you're used to,” she warned.

“No, I will remain in the forest. I would rather not be seen by anyone tonight. I will wait here, right at this spot. At dawn tomorrow, if you're not here, I will have to leave without you.” He shook his head. “What a shame if you do not get to see the land of diamonds and rubies!”

As Abbey walked back to the old house, she longed to visit the beautiful kingdom that Lothar had described.

That night she slept poorly. She knew that she would have to make a decision—and somehow she knew she would
have
to at least see a country where diamonds lined the walls!

3

Another Visitor

A
bbey was awakened very early. A yellow beam of sunlight came in through the window and fell full on her upturned face. She gave a start and a sharp cry. Her eyes flew open, and she sat up, calling in alarm, “Who is it?”

Then after looking around rather wildly, she laughed. “I'm as nervous as I've ever been in my life.”

She threw back the blanket, rose, and dressed. Going down the ladder, she saw women busy cooking some sort of grain for breakfast.

It was flat and tasteless, and she could not eat it. Remembering the delicious food that Lothar had produced, she thought,
What a shame to have to eat this stuff when they're eating so well in the Underworld!

Outside, the sun was shining brightly, and she walked down the trail to where the small stream gurgled over rounded stones and into a quiet pool. Quickly she washed her face in the cool water and took out a brush and tried to do something with her hair.
It's so dirty
, she thought again.
I wish I had some good shampoo or soap.

The only soap she had been able to find had been coarse gray lumps that had burned her hands. It was so strong that she was afraid it would make her hair fall out.

After she had done the best she could with her hair, she leaned over and looked at her reflection in the water. The pool was still, and she studied her face carefully. She had a heart-shaped face, lips gently rounded, and very large blue eyes.

“I wish I had some lotion,” she said aloud. She touched her face, thinking,
I'm going to have rhinoceros hide if I don't do something.

Finally Abbey rose and made her way slowly along the creek. She still did not see Lothar. Perhaps he had gone for a walk. Several birds sang in the trees, strange-looking birds of a bright orange color that she didn't recognize. They had beautiful voices, though. They harmonized almost as if they were members of a choir.

Abbey stopped and looked up, listening with admiration. She loved music and was herself a fine singer. She had even played the piano at one time. But there were no pianos that she could find in Nuworld.

All of a sudden she gave a start, for someone stepped out of the undergrowth and was walking toward her along the trail that led beside the bank.

He was a rough-looking young man, not much older than herself, shabbily dressed and very dirty. His hair hung down around his shoulders. It would've been probably auburn if it had been clean. He was pale, and his eyes were staring at her.

“Who are you? What do you want?” Abigail called out with alarm.

“I'm looking for the Seven Sleepers.”

It occurred to Abbey that perhaps this was a friend of Lothar's, yet they hardly looked to be of the same class. This young man was perhaps as tall as Lothar, but he was clothed in rags. As he came closer, she saw that he was even dirtier than she had thought. Dirt was caked in his hair, around his fingernails—his hands, she could see, were worn with hard work. And his gray tunic was stiff with grime. He was barefoot, and his feet were bruised and caked with mud. And then she saw that he had very intense gray eyes.

“I've come a long way,” he said. “My name is Beren.” He looked hungry and nervous.

Even as he spoke, something made a sound in the woods, and he turned quickly, pulling a knife from his belt and holding it out in a guarding position.

Abbey wished she had not come so far from the house. A few men were there, but even if she cried out they would not be able to reach her in time. She decided to act with as much assurance as she could.

“My name is Abigail,” she said. “What do you seek of the Sleepers?”

“I come from a far country,” he said wearily. He slipped the knife back into his belt, turned, and held out his hands. “Can you direct me to the Sleepers? I must find them.”

Abigail hesitated.
What if he's one of the enemy—an Underling? He looks like a thug. I'd better not tell him I'm a Sleeper.

“They've gone on a mission,” she said. “I think they won't be back.”

The young man named Beren seemed to sag. He shut his mouth in a thin line and shook his head. “I
must
find them. Where have they gone?”

Abbey pointed in a direction quite the opposite from that which the party had taken. “They went that way. There's a lot of them. A big band—all armed,” she lied.
That ought to discourage him
, she thought.

Beren stepped closer, and she drew back in fright. “Don't you touch me,” she said.

“I haven't come to harm you, but I must—”

At that instant, Lothar rounded the bend in the trail that followed the brook. When he saw the stranger, he let out a cry and drew a bright sword. He ran toward them, calling out in a language she did not understand.

Beren wheeled and ran down the creekside.

Lothar came up to Abigail and stopped. “I could never catch him. He's too fast. Did he harm you?”

“No, he didn't harm me. But who is he?”

Lothar replaced the gleaming sword in its sheath. “He's one of the Underlings.” He pulled off his feathered cap. His hair was very black and gleamed as the sunlight hit it. It was thick and full and fell down over his neck. “One of the enemies of the lords of the Underworld and the rightful people of that land.”

“He looked awful!”

Lothar laughed. “If you saw the others, you wouldn't say so. What was his name? Did he tell you?”

“He said he was Beren.”

“Yes, I've heard of him. Well, lucky thing I came along.” He stepped closer and took Abbey by the arm. “I think we'd better go to the house where you are staying. We'll be a little safer there.”

“Safe from what? He didn't look like he could harm you.”

“He may not be alone, and some of the Underlings are quite monstrous. Huge beasts with evil eyes and totally merciless. They'd cut your throat without a second thought.”

“Yes, then maybe we'd better go to the house.”

As they walked back, she said, “He came looking for the Seven Sleepers. What do you suppose he wants with us?”

“Why, to kill you, of course. They're the enemies of Goél and all that he stands for. They've killed many of our own faithful servants.”

“How awful!”

“Oh, yes. They killed my own father, remember.” Pain came into Lothar's eyes, and he lowered his head. “I don't like to think about that. But if something isn't done, I may be the next to go.”

“Lothar, how truly awful! That mustn't happen.”

The tall youth turned to her. His face was very serious. He put his hand out, and she placed hers in it trustingly.

“I hope that it will not, but we've fallen on evil times. Our empress does all she can. She has mighty powers, but there are many Underlings. No matter how many we capture, it seems there are always more. They're as clever and wicked as any being in Nuworld.”

“What do they want?” Abbey asked.