The Serpent's Ring (Relics of Mysticus) (5 page)

“You made me a pirate hat? Claire, I’m fourteen not seven.”

“Evan, I’m through with hat-making. We need to move on to more important things—like saving the world.”

“Well, I guess it’ll work,” Evan said before placing the hat upon his head.

He leaned back, hand on rudder, and guided the ship north. The voyage was smooth and easy. Other than the strange tangerine haze, the day was perfect. It had been a long time since his family sailed on Lake Huron. Why couldn’t Family Fun Day include more time on a boat?

Evan turned to see how far they were from shore. “Goodbye,” he said, as the shoreline disappeared from view.

Up ahead, Evan saw a lavender mist. He sat upright and paid close attention. It was a good thing too, since he almost rammed the boat into a purple object that was rising up out of the sea. It rose higher and higher, and as soon as the dragonlike head surfaced, Evan realized it was the statue of the Serpent’s Ring.

The air around the Viking ship became dense and deepened to a darker violet. A light began to glow from deep inside the heart of the large replica of the Serpent’s Ring, and Evan had to shield his eyes. Water rolled, making it difficult for him to steer. The boat rocked from side to side and was tossed forward like a cannonball.

“I take it, this is where the tunnel is,” Evan hollered.

The imps didn’t respond; they were too busy laughing. Evan looked at Claire, whose face was an interesting shade of green.

“Are there any life preservers on this thing?” she hollered above the thundering claps.

“I think you forgot to make them,” teased Evan.

Again, their boat was thrown! This time, it soared through the air before being pulled into a large glass tube. They raced faster and faster through the lavender tunnel until they stopped abruptly. The tube had opened up into a circular area with five more tubes splitting off into different directions.

“Dunkle, what are we supposed to do now?” Evan shouted.

“Steer the ship toward the one on the far right,” said Dunkle.

“Why that one?” Claire asked.

“Because that one will take us to see Dr. Irving,” Dunkle said quite matter-of-factly.

“Dr. Irving’s still alive? Does he live in Asgard?” Evan asked.

“Where else would he be?” Dunkle quipped. “After marrying the goddess Vor, he certainly couldn’t return to your world. Gods and goddesses are not allowed there.”

“He married a goddess?” said Claire, throwing her hands in the air. “Why am I not surprised?”

“Who’s Vor?” Evan asked.

“Vor is the goddess who knows everything about everything,” said Dunkle. “She will know exactly what to do.”

Suddenly, orange water surged up and tossed the boat forward. Quickly, Evan turned the rudder, and the ship practically flew into the far-right tunnel. After swirling around a few more loops, the ship shot out of the tunnel, landing safely on the water’s surface and sliding the length of a football field right up to the shore. Evan stared at his sister. She raised her head and looked around.

Dunkle hopped along the deck, cheering, “We have arrived! What an invigorating ride!”

“Land ho, land ho!” Barfel announced from the top of the mast. He then swung down the pole. “Land ho, land ho!” he sang and did a silly little dance, his red mohawk swaying to and fro.

“Welcome to Asgard,” said Dunkle, a smile consuming his entire face. “I am home.”

Evan scanned Asgard’s shoreline. The ocean was now a nice familiar blue. Enormous mountains jutted into the cloudless turquoise sky, their high peaks covered with snow. Leafy green trees concealed rolling hills. Teeny flecks sparkled and zipped from place to place—resting here, then whizzing there.

Evan scooped up a handful of sparkling sand and allowed it to stream through his fingers. “Is this gold?”

“Yes. Gold dust it is, it is,” said Barfel.

“It will not do you any good here, other than making golden sand castles with it. Let us go. We have quite a ways to walk,” Dunkle explained and headed toward the woods.

“Evan, you might want to lose the hat,” Claire said. “I mean, you’ll look kind of silly wearing a pirate hat in front of the professor.”

Evan agreed and threw the hat on board the ship.

Dunkle skipped across the sparkling sand and then dove into a patch of tall wavy grass. A breeze whipped through the blades, strumming enchanting music as they swayed. Dunkle led them into a wooded area. Vibrant leaves drifted from branches, covering their path.

Dunkle stopped abruptly in his tracks and then rushed over to a large tree. He ran his hand up and along lines in the bark, his fingernails scratched between its grooves. Evan and Claire waited with Barfel and watched curiously.

“I believe this is the correct tree,” said Dunkle. “But I had better double check. We would not want to end up at the wrong door.” Dunkle looked down and searched the ground. He spied a rock that looked a lot like a bowling ball. Dunkle hurried over to it. He then rotated his hand above the moss-covered rock and chanted something in another language. Dirt rumbled, as the rock shifted from side to side. It rose from the ground, higher and higher, until it reached the same height as Dunkle, which was only around two feet. Slowly, an area opened. Sand sprayed out as it gagged and sputtered. And then it lifted its eyelids. The rock had a face!

“Ah, Dunkle, it is good to see you again,” said the rock.

“Gynge, it has been ages,” Dunkle exclaimed. “How have you been, old chap?”

“Other than this mess of moss growing down into my eyes, I have been well,” said the rock. “You must be here to see the professor. He will be pleased you have returned.”

“How is the old fellow? It has been awhile since I last saw him,” said Dunkle.

“Too, long,” said the rock, more animation in his expression than before. “Just because you guard the … are uh, on a secret mission, does not mean you cannot visit more often.”

“Gynge, my comrades here know about the Serpent’s Ring,” said Dunkle. He then gave a brief introduction between Evan, Claire, Barfel, and the rock. “That is why we have come. The Serpent’s Ring has been stolen by Aegir.”

“Great Odin! What will you do? How will you manage to retrieve it?” asked Gynge.

“You can see why it is imperative we speak with the professor,” said Dunkle.

“Of course, of course,” said Gynge. “I shall allow you passage.”

“Thank you,” said Dunkle.

“Good luck to you,” said Gynge before spinning around a few times. From a short distance away, Evan heard wood snap and split.

Chapter Six

TUNNELS IN TRUNKS

A SMALL OPENING MATERIALIZED IN the base of a nearby tree. Dunkle ran over, hollering, “Follow me,” and he disappeared through the opening. Before long, the hole had grown, stretching to Evan’s height.

“This way! This way!” Barfel shouted and bounced over, before rushing through.

“I’m not going in there,” Claire said with a tremor in her voice.

“Come on, Claire. I’ll be right behind you,” Evan reassured her.

Inside the tree, the four travelers descended down a stairwell made of intricately intertwined roots. At the bottom, a larger cavern with passageways and tunnels wove and wound through a labyrinth of corridors.

“Unbelievable,” said Claire in a hush.

“What is this place?” Evan asked, straining to see past the glow of Dunkle’s fire-lit torch.

“Consider this Asgard’s solution to underground travel,” Dunkle explained.

“We’re safe down here, safe down here—not up there,” added Barfel.

“Except we have to walk,” complained Evan. “I’m getting tired. When do we take a break?”

“Not far now, not far now,” cheered Barfel.

Evan and Claire followed Dunkle and Barfel through the long tunnel, illuminated by a warm golden glow. Occasionally, Dunkle allowed them to pause and admire something sculpted along the wooden walls: deer, bears, birds, and other creatures Evan didn’t recognize. He ran his fingertips along the polished wood, fascinated by patterns in the grain.

At last, they reached a tall, narrow door. A serpent biting its tail was carved into the red wood. It was the very same image Evan had seen in Dr. Irving’s lab: the Serpent’s Ring. His insides quivered. How was he supposed to explain to Dr. Irving he didn’t mean to take the Serpent’s Ring? Now it was on its way to Aegir, and it was his fault.

The door creaked open, and a thin man with salt-and-pepper hair poked his head out to greet them. “I wondered when you would arrive,” he said pleasantly and opened the door a little wider. “Come inside, please.”

Evan hung his head and dragged his feet over the carved wooden threshold. He believed it was best to be as inconspicuous as possible. So he hid behind his sister. But after taking his first step onto the shiny black and white marble floor, he lifted his head a little. This place looked nothing like he expected.

“Where did you get all of this stuff?” Claire asked, running her hand over a red leather sofa. “No offense, but I can’t imagine there’s a modern furniture store right around the corner.”

“No, no,” said Dr. Irving in his educated sounding English accent. “The first thing you must remember while you are here is that not everything is as it seems. You will discover that
I
am a clever man and have my ways.”

“It might also help that you are married to a
goddess
, one who happens to have spectacular taste.” A dark-haired woman with golden brown skin glided into the room. “You must be Claire and Evan. We have been expecting you.”

“Expecting us? How could you possibly know we were coming?” Claire asked. Vor approached her and reached for her hand. The goddess flipped it over and stared at Claire’s open palm.

“Darling girl, I know everything. I am Vor,” said Vor with her musical accent. “Hmm, interesting; you have a very mysterious past."

Claire interjected, “I hardly think coming from the suburbs in Michigan makes for a mysterious past.”

“Your soul runs deep; you have a very rich heritage,” said Vor.

“I would hardly call us rich—comfortable, but definitely not rich,” said Claire.

Vor smiled and released Claire’s hand. The goddess turned to Evan, who was trying to blend into a wall. “And hiding over there, you must be Evan. Please, do not be afraid. I know what happened was, dare I say, a mishap?”

Nervously, Evan chewed on his lip while edging himself in her direction. He was uneasy and found it impossible to gaze into her all-knowing brown eyes.

“I’m so sorry. Believe me, I didn’t mean to cause all of this trouble,” said Evan, looking down at the silky red fabric of Vor’s dress. It was draped around her body like Kool-Aid swirling in a glass. Her feet were bare, and he wondered if he should remove his sneakers.

“I do believe you,” said Vor, placing her hand under his chin and lifting his head. “Now, we must sit and talk. There is much to discuss, and we have so little time.”

“I will be just a moment with your refreshments,” said Dr. Irving, dashing for the kitchen.

“Professor, please allow me to be of assistance,” Dunkle exclaimed and leapt across the room. He then scuttled behind Dr. Irving, speaking in that strange language of his. To Evan’s surprise, the professor nodded his head and used his hands to gesture in return. In fact, it looked as if he and Dunkle were having an intriguing conversation. Is it possible the professor actually understood the imp?

Dr. Irving opened a large chrome refrigerator and relieved it of some food. Dunkle was right beside him, helping carry the load over to the kitchen counter. Evan couldn’t believe how flashy his surroundings were. The room consisted mostly of objects that were black and white, shiny chrome, and red. Glossy-white shelves held black, white, and red books. Instead of antique trinkets, like in the Professor’s other house, everything here was shiny and clean. Large canvases with black, white, and red paint lined the walls. Stylish black-and-white photographs appeared here and there.

Mmmm. Aroma from fresh-baked goodies drifted toward Evan, and his mouth watered. He watched as Dr. Irving lined plates and various utensils on top of a glass platter. Evan realized he should listen more closely to Vor, but he couldn’t stop keeping tabs on what was being prepared in the kitchen.

“Unfortunately, we cannot accompany you on your quest, and I am afraid Aegir has already given orders for his soldiers to find you,” announced Vor. “We can, however, give you guidance, and we can give you this.” Vor removed a golden chain from around her neck, and in one fluid movement, placed it over Claire’s head and around her neck.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Claire exclaimed. Her hand held tight to the locket. “The details are amazing. Look, Evan, golden flowers are wrapped around the outside. It’s beautiful.”

“Yes, it is very beautiful. And I suspect you shall never again see one of those,” said Vor. “It is a divining locket. It will help you find answers to your questions.”

“Thank you,” said Claire. “But I can’t accept this.”