The Protector of Esparia (The Annals of Esparia Book 1) (49 page)

“I’ll bring the Sword of Mercy,” Lyrista offered, but Jessica held her hand to stop her. 

“No.  It needs to stay here with the Sword of Judgment.  You keep it safe.  If I ever return,
I’ll claim it.  Until then, you’ll keep it safe.”

John looked at her tenderly.  “It’s hard letting you go, but I understand.”

Jessica hugged each one again.  “I love both of you,” she choked.  “I’m going to find Merula now and tell her.”  She ran off, wiping away the tears that stung her eyes.

Spotting Merula walking along the covered path leading from Lepsis’ house to the mansion, Jessica yelled, then waved while she ran across the garden.  Merula looked relaxed and Jessica saw the pain of so many years gone from her gray-green eyes; they actually sparkled. 

“Jess, I was looking for you,” Merula called.  “I wonder if you would come to dinner tonight.  There’s a very nice kitchen in Lepsis’ home and I thought I’d try my hand at cooking.”

Jessica stopped in front of her friend.  Without a word, she threw her arms around her and squeezed her tightly.  She would miss Merula later as much as she missed Rachel now.

“What’s wrong?” Merula asked in alarm.

“Merula…” Jessica began, but could not finish.  The words would not come.  She hated goodbyes more than anything else and could not say one more.

“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” Merula’s voice was soft.  “I can see it in your eyes.”

“I have a life beyond here.”

“I understand.  So I guess dinner is out.”

Jessica nodded.  “I leave in a few hours.  I wanted you and Lepsis to come and be there.  When I go back, my Grandma’s coming with me.”

“I’ll tell Lepsis.  Do you need help packing, getting the horses ready?”

“Oh, Merula,” Jessica smiled.  “I almost forgot, you don’t know.”

Merula looked confused.  “Uncle Anton said he’d have everything ready in a couple of hours.  Just don’t go anywhere and I’ll come and get you when it’s time.  Be prepared for a shock though, and tell Lepsis to be prepared.  After I’m gone, my dad can answer any question you might have.”

Four hours later a small group gathered in the large mahogany room that used to be Daenon’s.  The living space was miraculously transformed.  Gone were the taxidermy animals and weapons of destruction, and in their places were the statues and beautiful paintings from the Treasure room.  Cream curtains replaced the green.  Two pastel floral tapestries hung from opposing walls, a bright contrast to the dark wood paneling.

Furniture was moved from the center of the room off to one side.  A long, thin, flat stone lay on the bare tiled floor where a couch had been.  A blue rock, the size of a robin’s egg, balanced on top of it.  

Anton stood behind Naydeen, his hands resting gently on her shoulders.  Lepsis and Merula were holding hands, looking thoroughly confused, and John had his arm around Lyrista.  Cordon, Ophir and Reese stood solemnly in a row, while Jessica and Gaylee were in the center of the room, standing next to the flat stone.  Jessica wore her jeans and a simple Demarian blouse.  In her hands, she held her embroidered uniform, wrapped in a neat package; it was the only thing she wanted to take with her.  A hush came over the group while they waited patiently for Larone and Varnack. 

“Sorry I am late,” Larone said breathlessly when he entered the room. Varnack trotted at his side.  “It took longer than I thought it would to form this.”  He held out his open hand to show everyone what was in it.  A small, marble sized, clear white ball rested on his palm.  He offered it to Jessica.  “This is for you, a parting gift.”

She gingerly took the velvety smooth sphere from him.  “It looks like the same crystal ball that’s on the end of the Sword of Mercy,” she commented.

“It is made of the same material,” he explained, “White Persite.”

All of the native Esparians gasped, including Gaylee.  “Some still exists?” she asked in awe.

“What exactly is persite?” John said.

“It’s a very rare mineral,” Anton explained.  “Blue is much more common than white, and then there’s green, but we won’t talk ‘bout that stuff.  It’s evil and nearly impossible to unlock.  I was able to gather some of the white in my travels over the years.  It’s found in tiny pockets way up north.”

“Persite’s mentioned in ancient writings,” Lyrista explained.  “It has magical qualities, but I never believed it truly existed.”

“This substance has many qualities I do not as yet understand.  This blue crystalline rock here is blue persite,” Larone indicated the small stone on the thin rock slab.  “It powers the Transmirian spiral.  White, however is more than just a power source, it seems to have strong magic that connects to certain life compositions.  Anyone can use blue, but only someone very special can wield white.  One of the capacities white has is to act much like an amplifier.  Hold it in your hand, Jessica, and concentrate.  Your energies flow through the persite and are made greater…stronger.  You can connect with it.  It was with a piece much like this that I was able to locate you on Earth.  I thought about you and reached out with my mind.  My telepathic powers were greatly enhanced to the point where I was able to find you.  It is this increased energy that causes the Sword of Mercy to gather such great power from your life force.”

Jessica walked around the room holding the piece in her open palm so everyone could have a good look at it.

Larone continued his explanation.  “Your natural gifts will be amplified if you use this.  I have hesitated to give it to you, but once I heard about what happened on the Twin Hills, I knew it was the right thing to do.  Persite is very powerful, and since I do not fully understand how it works, it could be dangerous, but I feel you will be able to master it.  Your powers are not as pronounced on Earth as they are here, and so Earth is the safest place for you to learn how to use this magic.”

Jessica stuffed the ball into her front jean pocket.  “Thank you, Uncle Larone.  I’ll work at it, I promise.”

“I have a gift of my own,” Gaylee smiled and walked over to John and Lyrista.  “I’ve spent much of these last two months at my old home, Saylon Dorsett.  Larone gave me sufficient funds to completely restore it.  Larone knows of all the improvements and will show you everything.  I give the estate to you, for your children and for your children’s children.”

John smiled.  “You’re quite a lady, Gaylee.  Thanks for everything.”  He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. 

Lyrista timidly wrapped her arms around the older woman and squeezed.  “Thank you.”

Gaylee hugged her back then turned to rejoin Jessica, but before she took two steps Ophir called to her.  “Gaylee,” he said clearly.  It was the first time he had used her informal name and Jessica was surprised by it.  He walked over to her, took her hand, and gently kissed it.  “Do not wait another fifty years before returning to us.”  The two gazed at each other for a long moment.

With a jolt, Jessica realized that Ophir was in love with her.  Warmth began to radiate from her front pocket where the ball of persite was hidden and it quickly spread throughout her body.  When Gaylee turned from Ophir, her face was a mask of calm, but as her eyes briefly met Jessica’s, a wave of emotion flooded from them.

Instantly, with the help of the persite, Jessica read her Grandmother’s thoughts and felt her frustration. 
Ophir!  Why now?  Why only now, when it’s too late, do you let your feelings show?
 

“It’s time,” Anton merrily announced.  “You do good at school, Jessi.  Make us proud.”

The persite’s warmth immediately ceased.  “I will,” Jessica said with a lump in her throat.  She ran and gave one last hug to her father and Lyrista, while Ophir retook his place next to Cordon.  When Jessica walked to the center of the room, she saw nothing but sad faces, except for Varnack, Larone and Anton.  The two men were smiling and the Trigal Hound waged his tail. 

Anton pulled a small vial of green liquid from a pocket in his leather vest.  He walked over to the blue rock in the center of the room.  While he poured the vial on it, he explained, “Daenon isn’t the only one who can conjure potions.  This green stuff here unlocks the persite’s power.”  He began to chant.  “By the voice of T’Aalin, through the Expanse of Gonta, I call on the powers of Bree, to open this passage, by the winds of Malana, I call the Transmirian key.  Open a channel, through the portal of black, terrene four, two, one arc line six, two track.  By the voice of T’Aalin, through the Expanse of Gonta…”

Softly repeating the words, he hurried back to Naydeen.  The rock commenced to smoke and the air above it started to swirl.  A low-pitched rushing noise hissed from the swirling air and it quickly increased in intensity.  Each of the spectators took an involuntary step backwards, including Jessica and Gaylee.

“Uncle Larone,” Jessica yelled above the noise.

“What is it Jessica?” he yelled back.

“Why are you and Uncle Anton smiling, and Varnack so happy?”

“Why should we be sad when we know you will be coming back to us?”

“What do you mean?”  Jessica could hardly be heard above the noise.

“The prophecy, Jessi,” Anton boomed.  “Ya gotta return to finish fulfillin’ it.”

Those were the last words Jessica heard, for just then the spiral reached full force and she and Gaylee were sucked in.

The trip home was as bad as the trip to Edia.  Jessica closed her eyes to the rush and concentrated on relaxing.  She tightly clutched the package.  After what seemed like forever, she hit the hard tile floor of her kitchen and skidded across it.  The package went flying when she slammed into a wall and her forward momentum was abruptly stopped.  Gaylee landed right after her and skidded to the same point, smashing into Jessica.
 

Jessica’s first thought was for Gaylee, but blackness threatened to envelope her.  She fought against it.  Warmth from her front pant pocket gave her an unexpected shock and she reached for the small ball.  Holding it tightly, she thought about staying conscious.  A second jolt ran from her hand, coursing throughout her body.  She jerked fully awake, then fisting her hand over the crystal, jumped to Gaylee’s side. 

“Grandma!”

Gaylee did not move.  She barely breathed.  Jessica placed her free hand, palm down on Gaylee’s forehead.  Closing her eyes, she concentrated on making Gaylee conscious.  The little ball sparked to life and heat ran from Jessica’s fist, through her chest, directly to her open palm on Gaylee’s brow.  Within moments, she moaned and slowly opened her eyes. 

Hearing footsteps, Jessica slid the ball back into her pocket.  Jacob and Sophia rushed into the kitchen.

“Gaylee!  Jessica!” Sophia shrieked.  “You’re home, oh, you’re home!”

She threw her short arms around both of them.  She tried to talk further, but could only whimper through her tears of joy.  Jacob walked over and helped Gaylee to her feet. 

“We were upstairs when we heard the rush of wind.  I’m very glad to see you back, Gaylee.  Are you all right?” he sounded concerned.

“I’m pretty dizzy,” she said haltingly.  He helped her to a chair, then turned to Jessica who was already on her feet and helping a sobbing, yet smiling Sophia to the chair next to Gaylee. 

“I feel fine,” Jessica told him.  She was surprised at how true that was.  She found her package and set it on the table.

“Oh, Jessica dear,” Sophia managed to say.  “You came back just in time.   Rachel left a week ago for the university.  She drove your car.  I packed all your things and sent them with her.  I was hoping you’d come home in time to go, and here you are!”

She turned to her husband, who had just given Gaylee a drink of cool water.  “Jacob, you need to call the airlines and see if we can purchase a flight for Seattle tonight.  I hope it’s not too late. Even first class will do, if there’s no coach left.”

“Tonight!” Jessica exclaimed.  “When does school begin?”

“Last week, dear,” Sophia said a little more evenly.  “We must fly you there before you miss more classes.”  Focusing on Jessica arriving at the university helped a great deal to calm her down.  “As I said, I sent your things with Rachel.  She doesn’t know about your adventure this summer, I thought it best for you to tell her.”

“That was very wise,” Gaylee gave a thin smile.  By degrees, the color was returning to her cheeks.

“Where’s Sneakers?” Jessica asked Jacob.

“Oh, I put him out a couple of hours ago.  He’s got us on a schedule.”

Jessica laughed.  “What?”

“Don’t ask,” Jacob held up his hand.  “Suffice it to say, Sophia spoils him rotten, caters to his every whim, or I should say, meow.”

“He’ll be back soon, dear,” Sophia said.  “He always returns this time of night.”

“Grandma,” Jessica could hold back no longer.  “Ophir…” But, before she could finish her sentence, Gaylee cut her off.

“That was worlds away.”

“Gaylee, I’m so glad you’re back,” Sophia repeated.  “I did nothing but worry about you this entire summer.”

“I can testify to that,” Jacob said dryly after he hung up the phone.  “There’s a flight out in three hours.  I guess you’re all set, Jessica.”

“Wow, this is so fast,” Jessica felt a little light headed.  “What’s the date anyway?”

“It’s October second,” Sophia replied.