Shifting (The Prophecy, The Spy, and The Ghostly Guardian) (A Fated Fantasy Quest Adventure Book 2) Read online

  None of this made sense to Meghan, but Colin had read many books about portals to other worlds.

  “So it’s not a matter of how far,” he clarified, “but finding the right doorway to the right place.”

  “More or less,” said Jae, catching on to their thoughts. “Unfortunately, from Grimble, there is no way back to Cobbscott. Not for three years at least.”

  “You’re absolutely sure?” questioned Meghan, losing hope. “Three years is such a long time.”

  Jae shrugged, guilt ridden. “It is a long time. We’d better get going though. We don’t want to make the Viancourt wait.” The twins, though not eager to discover their fate, were desperate to get out of the wagon prison.

  “It’s not far,” Jae told them as they followed a fog-covered path.

  “Are we going into a town?” asked Meghan, struggling to see Jae.

  “Yes and no,” he answered, confusing the twins. The fog cleared enough to see a group of gypsy wagons lined up in a circle. As they climbed up the stairs to one of them, the twins’ attention was taken away by a ghostly shadow two wagons over.

  “C’mon, we gotta keep moving,” urged Jae, reclaiming their attention. “Once inside we have a ways to go.”

  “A ways?” questioned Meghan.

  “You’ll see,” said Jae, with a slight smirk. He opened the door and motioned for the twins to enter ahead of him. They expected to see the same thing they had in the other wagons, but this one was much different.

  It was a small town. An actual town. It reminded the twins of the old fishing villages they often visited off the coast of Maine. A few gypsies hustled about, but mostly, it was deserted.

  “What is this place?” asked Colin in a stunned voice.

  Jae led them deeper into the town.

  “This is Bedgewood Harbor,” he explained. “It’s a mini replica of our real home, in the Bedgewood Isles, which is actually off the coast of Northern Maine.”

  “I’ve never heard of it,” said Colin.

  “You wouldn’t. It’s hidden, by magic.”

  “But your real home is in our world?” confirmed Colin.

  “Yeah, it is,” answered Jae. He directed them down a cobblestone street.

  What an odd thing, Colin’s thoughts wandered. Magic exists in our world. And I can do magic. I wonder why? He remembered how at the moment Uncle Arnon threw the Magicante at him, that his uncle hadn’t seemed surprised by his use of magic. It didn’t make any sense.

  His sister didn’t hear his thoughts, she was too busy checking out the town. She nudged her brother when they passed by two older, proper looking ladies sitting outside of a small brick building. A sign dangled over them: The Jackal Lantern. They wore 1930’s style dresses and sipped from delicate looking teacups.

  “Those are the Jackal sisters,” explained Jae. “They put out our local paper. And, whatever they’re drinking, it’s definitely not tea.” He chuckled, nodding to the sisters as the trio walked by. The sisters nodded back, politely.

  Moments later, a drizzle started to fall, a damp coolness seeping into their skin, etching its way into their bones. Meghan and Colin shivered simultaneously. The weather matched their mood. Ominously cold and gloomy.

  Jae shivered. “Our weather here is the same as on the real Bedgewood Isles. I’m not sure how it all works exactly. But it’s a small connection to home, I guess.”

  They stopped in front of a sinister looking brick building. It was tall. Very tall. But not wide at all. And yet held a sturdiness about it. One that threatened, once you enter these walls, you might not come out again.

  “I can’t go inside with you,” said Jae, holding open the door.

  The twins stepped inside the building, gulping hard.

  Before they shut the door, Jae explained where they needed to go.

  “Take the winding stair up two levels,” he instructed. “Then take the staircase to your right and go down three levels.” His voice cracked at the end. “Good luck.” The look on his face said, I hope I see you again.

  Colin wrinkled his brow. Up two levels and down three? Why not just go down one level to begin with? Meghan heard his thought but ignored it, dragging him inside.

  One lone picture hung on an otherwise bare brick wall.

  “Nethaniel Bedgewood, founder of the Svoda Gypsies,” read Meghan.

  “I guess that explains why it’s called Bedgewood,” said Colin nervously.

  They found the spiral stair with ease, and once up the two flights, they reached a hallway leading to the right. A few steps away another staircase headed downward. Upon arrival at the bottom, they came to an archway, with a hanging sign.

  Viancourt in session, do not enter!

  “Great! It says not to enter. Maybe we arrived too late,” Colin said. They decided to take a seat in what appeared to be a small waiting room. The fireplace was unlit and the twins shivered as they waited. The cold dampness had followed them inside.

  They hoped to catch a glimpse of someone who could tell them whether they should enter or wait, but no one showed up. They waited silently, their minds still trying to comprehend all that had happened, when a crisp, but pleasant voice, came over a loudspeaker.

  “New incoming message. Please listen carefully. In the case of Meghan and Colin Jacoby, a decision has been reached. Please enter through the archway within the next thirty seconds.” The pleasant woman’s voice came over the distant speaker again, counting down from thirty.

  Meghan grabbed Colin and dashed for the archway. As they passed through, an iron barrier slammed down behind them. They stopped for a moment, holding their breath. There was no going back the way they came. Maybe they wouldn’t see Jae again after all.

  They turned forward, looking down the corridor in front of them. Had they entered a different building? There was no more brick. The walls were built out of wooden planks, reminiscent of the hull of a ship.

  They stepped cautiously.

  There was light ahead, sneaking through a few cracks in a wooden door. The door creaked open as they arrived in front of it. They entered a dimly lit room, standing in front of a semi-circle made up of nine wooden desks. There was a podium in front of the desks, which swiveled to face the front of the room, or the desks. Three of which were occupied. The twins assumed this was the Viancourt, as Garner Sadorus sat behind one desk, staring them down with a glower. To his right was an older looking woman, and to his left a middle-aged man. Neither paid them any attention.

  Behind the row of desks was an elevated chair, currently empty.

  The room was lit by hanging candle lanterns. There was a smaller desk off to the right-hand side of the room with a man hunched over it, scribbling notes. The twins wondered how he could see to write as dim as the candlelight was in the room.

  After finally seeing the twins’ arrival, he jumped up and guided them to stand in front of the podium, in clear view of the desks. Once in this position, the two court members who’d been ignoring them looked up with sudden great interest. However, not one of the three gave any indication as to what kind of decision they had made.

  The note taker stood at their side. “Please stand for Banon Juliska Nandalia Blackwell.” He made the announcement just as a door opened at the back of the room. The Svoda leader strode elegantly into the room, taking a seat in the elevated chair. She smoothed out her form fitting emerald green long-jacket and got comfortable in her seat.

  “You have come to a unanimous decision in the matter of the Jacoby siblings?” asked the note taker of the court members. The three answered, “Yes” in unison.

  The man returned to his desk and began scribbling a transcript of the meeting. The one female court member, an older, rough looking woman, whose nameplate read, Tanzea Chase, was the first to speak.

  “I have been led to believe that you lived with your uncle. Is this correct?” Her voice was cold and the smell of mothballs emanated from her direction.

  Colin was shaking too hard to speak, so Meghan starte
d.

  “Yes, that’s true, our Uncle, Arnon Jacoby… Ma’am.” Meghan tried to be courteous, but lifted her chin and answered with confidence.

  Tanzea Chase cast a deliberate gaze at Juliska whose face remained even.

  “What circumstances brought you to living with him?” the mothball woman continued.

  “Our parents,” she gulped hard, “died when we were two years old.”

  Another member of the court spoke, his nameplate read, Darius Hadrian. His face was stern and gave away no emotion.

  “How is it that you decided to help our Jae Mochrie?” The twins were not sure how to answer this and Meghan trilled a silent reminder to Colin not to mention that Jae had told them about magic.

  “We met Jae at the lake one day, back at Camp Cobbscott,” explained Colin timidly. “Then we asked him to hang out again the next day, and he told us that he would be leaving. We left it as, it’s been nice to meet you and all…”

  Meghan sent him a mind nudge to get to the point.

  He continued nervously.

  “The night you were all leaving, my sister and I did something we now realize was a very bad idea.”

  He took a deep breath and retold the story of the night Jae got stuck behind, and how they had found the fallen down pine tree hours before, and encountered the Scratchers.

  As Colin explained, Meghan realized something: their current predicament was entirely her fault! It was due to her desire to go into the woods that began the series of events that brought them to this moment. Moreover, she was the reason her uncle was likely dead, or worse, being tortured; if he had somehow survived. Her knees wobbled and she grabbed the podium for support.

  Meanwhile, Colin finished explaining their first encounter with the Scratchers.

  The group talked amongst themselves.

  “Their story corroborates his,” Tanzea’s rough voice said.

  “Fascinating information. This could prove most useful, proof of a Scratchman,” said Darius Hadrian.

  Garner just scowled and looked at them with a gaze that insinuated he’d never trust them, no matter what they decided as a Court, together.

  Juliska Blackwell suddenly vaulted gracefully from her chair, facing the twins. The three members of the Viancourt went mute behind her.

  “Enough questioning. We are sorry for putting you through this, and we are sorry for your uncle. It has been decided by this Court that you will be permitted to live amongst us. There is no alternative. There is no way to send you home.”

  The Court clapped lightly behind her, although the twins noticed Garner Sadorus and Tanzea Chase hunched over, in rushed whispers. After a moment, they rose, believing the Banon had said her piece and would depart the chamber. However, she lingered.

  “There are a few things you must understand,” she explained to the twins. “Though guests here, there will be certain events you may not be permitted to attend. Things meant only for the Svoda people. Things that must be kept secret.”

  Both Meghan and Colin nodded that they understood. They were in an unfamiliar place, with no knowledge of how to get home, but at least they could stay. They knew Jae. It was better than not knowing anyone.

  He will be so relieved, they both thought.

  The Banon exited the room in the same graceful manner as she had entered. The Court followed behind her, but not before Garner got in one last scowl at the twins. He had been so anxious to question them yesterday, and today he had not asked them one single question. The twins didn’t know what to think about this.

  The note taker remained hunched over his desk, scribbling away. After a minute, he noticed the two still standing there, awkwardly.

  “Oh, sorry, forgot. This way to get out,” he headed them off to another door. As he pushed them through the door, he advised, “Go down a flight of stairs and then up two levels, and then down a flight. Find yourselves right back where you started.”

  He slammed the door behind them.

  CHAPTER TWO

  They could not get out of the building fast enough. A crowd of around twenty waited just outside, breathlessly, with Jae in front. They hadn’t expected an audience. Some glared. Some smiled weakly.

  Colin swallowed hard, losing his voice.

  Meghan answered the group’s silent question. “They said we can stay.”

  Jae was instantly relieved.

  The glaring gypsies stormed off, muttering to each other. This clearly was not the decision they had expected, or wanted. A few others shot them kind smiles, but left hurriedly as well.

  “Well, now that part’s over…” Jae sighed. “I wanted to introduce you to my family. This is my mother, Sheila, and my sister, Mireya.”

  “Oh, nice to meet you,” the twins replied, though half-heartedly.

  Sheila was a frail looking woman, with short, thin hair. She wore a knee length skirt and apron, with tall tan boots. Mireya was a miniature image of her mother, and hung off her arm nervously.

  “This situation is dreadful,” Sheila spoke softly. “I must admit I am glad to be able to thank you in person, for everything you’ve done for my family. Helping my son return home, and saving my husband from a fate worse than death. I’m deeply sorry about your uncle. Arnon Jacoby, was it?”

  “Yes, it is Arnon,” Meghan corrected.

  Sheila’s left eye lifted in a look that claimed, Poor dear. In total denial. There’s no way their uncle could be alive. Nevertheless, she did not vocalize this.

  “It’s odd,” Shelia did say, “his name sounds familiar. I suppose that can’t be correct though, can it?” She smiled kindly at the twins, unable to shake off the familiarity of the name.

  “No. I don’t imagine it is,” replied Meghan.

  Jae’s mother shook it off as bad memory and told them, “While here, you are welcome to stay with us. It is the least, and the most, I can offer.” She abruptly took hold of Mireya’s hand and sped her frail frame down the walkway. She shouted back, “Make sure you’re home early tonight, Jae.”

  “Yeah, I will, Mom.” After she was out of sight, Jae said, “Why don’t I show you around a little, help you get settled in.”

  Before they could begin, the trio noticed someone standing in the shadows of a nearby building. It was Billie Sadorus. Seeing that the crowd had dispersed she strutted over, muttering her satisfaction that the court had made the only right decision.

  “That took long enough! Don’t see why they couldn’t have done that last night. Keeping two youngins locked up like common criminals. A shame! That’s what it is, a shame,” her voice was raspy as it spoke the same mutterings the twins had heard the evening before.

  “Hi, Billie,” said Jae in an excited voice, after her tirade ended.

  “Glad to have you back, boy. Why don’t you, and our new guests, come over for a bite?”

  “I can show you around later, you’ll love Billie’s place,” insisted Jae.

  The twins were overwhelmed and not in the mood for visiting, but did not feel they had a choice. They tiredly agreed and followed Billie down a street called Scrooby, which ended abruptly at a boat-shaped brown shingled cottage; crooked turrets protruded from the sides of the home.

  Billie held the front door open for them. “Make yourselves at home. Jae, you can show them around. I’ll go get us a bite.”

  They followed Jae inside.

  “Cool house, huh,” he said.

  Why is it that every building they stepped into was like stepping onto a boat, or ship? It was a strange home, with tiny rooms and walkways. The wall planks a bit dark. But to breathe it in took away any discomfort. It was like breathing in the ocean. Breathing in the open sea. It soothed them all instantly, taking away the feeling of being in a cramped space.

  “Where are all her belongings?” asked Meghan, noticing how empty the house was as they made their way through.

  “Our homes here are replicas. All our real belongings are still on our island, other than what we could bring with us.”

&nbs
p; Jae brought them to what appeared to be a living room. It was the largest room they’d seen in the place. There was a fireplace, some sparse, simple furniture, and a few travel trunks stuffed with papers and books, a lot of which were strewn about on the floor.

  “Ah, I see you’ve found my papers. Sorry ‘bout that. I was filing some work. Can’t locate the file I’m looking for,” said Billie with a terse head shake. She arrived carrying a tray of steaming cocoa, and the most delicious chocolate chip cookies the twins had ever smelled.

  She set the tray down on one of the closed trunks and offered each of them a mug and a cookie. “Nothing like a little sugar to ease the day.” She winked at the twins.

  Colin took a swig and licked his lips. “What do you do for work, Billie?” he asked.

  “A little o’ this, little o’ that. Mostly I keep track of historical information. I like to collect things. Keep a record of our journey. If you ever have questions about Svoda history, in these papers lie your answers. I keep hoping one of these days my sad excuse for a brother will...” the rest of her words strung out in an incoherent mumble.

  “Garner Sadorus, your brother. I don’t think he likes us,” said Colin, forgetting it might offend their host.

  Meghan shot him a glare.

  Billie responded as if speaking to the air.

  “Not a full day here and already they see how atrocious my brother has become.”

  “I don’t know if I’d say atrocious,” said Colin, trying to make up for his mistake. “But definitely scary.”

  “Exactly! He’s lost touch with reality, that man! I don’t understand what’s gotten into Garner these last few years. He’s changed. Listen to me babbling on about my sibling issues. Eat up, drink up, and tell me about yourselves.”

  To Meghan’s surprise her brother started.

  “We were raised by our uncle and we just turned thirteen.” Meghan thoughts strayed to Kanda Macawi, the Jendayas (especially Sebastien), and how at this precise moment they could be mourning their uncle’s death, and wondering what had happened to them.