Spell of the Crystal Chair (18 page)

T
he Sleepers claimed that the wedding of Princess Fairmina to Beorn, son of Balog, was one of the happiest occasions they could remember.

It certainly was a time of rejoicing for the Yanti and the Lowami. Both tribes had suffered greatly from the war, and when the wedding guests saw their respective chief’s, Denhelm and Balog, embrace and pledge their loyalty to one another, a great shout of triumph sounded.

The Sleepers stayed long enough to properly celebrate the wedding, which, according to both tribes, took a week. And then Josh announced, “I had a dream about Goél last night. He told me that it was time to leave.”

“Well, it’s been great,” Jake said, “but I’d sure like to get warm.”

Reb nodded. “Me too. I’d like to go somewhere in the South Seas. Put on swim trunks and just lie in the sun and be waited on by both of you girls. That’s the life for me.”

“That’ll be the day,” Abbey sniffed, “when I wait on you, Reb Jackson!”

And so, as the warm weather came on, the Seven Sleepers said their last good-byes to all the friends that they had made in Whiteland.

A happy, radiant Fairmina embraced them all. “Dear friends,” she said, “promise us that you will come back.”

“It would be our joy, Princess.” Josh surprised himself by taking her hand, then bowing and kissing it.

Beorn gave them all rich gifts and shook the hand of each one. He kissed the hands of Abbey and Sarah, and finally the good-byes were over.

The Sleepers made the return journey quickly, for the snow was now gone and they could travel on horses, the gift of the two chief’s.

The first night, as they made camp, Abbey seemed to have something on her mind. She was sitting with Dave after their supper. Suddenly she said, “Dave, do you think Fairmina is as pretty as I am?”

Dave was accustomed to Abbey’s vanity. “Fairmina’s as pretty as you, but not as pretty as I am.”

“Oh, you’re crazy!”

“I guess so. No, she’s beautiful, and you’ll be just as beautiful when you get grown up.”

Sitting off to one side, Josh and Sarah giggled, for they had heard this conversation.

“That Abbey, she’s a caution,” Josh said.

“Well, I think she
will
be as pretty as Fairmina when she grows up.”

“So will you, Sarah.”

“What a nice thing to say.”

“Oh, I’m getting a little more romantic. I remember what you said.”

“I
saw you kissing Fairmina’s hand. I never saw you do anything like that before.”

Josh blushed. “I don’t know what made me do that.”

“I do,” Sarah said. “Josh, you’ve just got a natural sweetness in you that I’ve never seen in any other boy.”

Without a word, he reached over and took Sarah’s hand. He kissed it and then saw that
she
was blushing.
“That tears it. I’m getting as bad as Abbey. Just romantic as all get out.”

“You have your moments, Josh Adams. You have your moments!”

For a long time, the two sat side by side, just looking into the fire. Josh found himself wondering,
What will be the next adventure for the Seven Sleepers?