“He is your earth father as Denali is Hilly’s earth mother,” Darrius stated. “He is aware of the Prophecy and has chosen to aid on your behalf. This is very fortunate. It means you’ll find the family crystal much faster.”

  Darrius pressed his fingertips together in front of his chest.

  Several moments passed.

  “Benedict has located Jake and Kai,” he announced. “They are searching the summit for Hilly.” He turned to Chance. “It’s time for you to put your plan into action.”

  “I’m ready. But what about our unwanted guests?” Chance jutted his chin at the doppelgangers.

  “I have an idea.” Fen strode to the edge of the summit. “I have a special power I recently discovered on my trip to Denali. Chance, you probably have it too, but I know Hilly, Kai, and I possess the ability to intensify our magic, especially when we’re all together.”

  “How will that help?” Darrius asked.

  “If the doppelgangers move, I will combine my energy with Chance’s and stop them before they can reach Chance.”

  “What do you mean, ‘combine my energy with Chance’s’?” Chance demanded. “I’ll be a little busy searching for the crystal.”

  Fen chuckled. “Chance, you’re projecting energy even as you stand there not doing a thing. I’ll take what I can and combine it with my power.” She glanced at the Cererians. “Believe me, I can really do this.”

  “Why don’t I know about this special ability?” Darrius asked.

  “You don’t know everything about us, Darrius,” she replied. “As you’ve stated, the Prophecy doesn’t divulge all the details.” She grinned wide. “Don’t worry, it will work. I promise. And, unlike you and Alden, I can kill the imposters if needed.”

  “Brother, I say we give it a chance,” Alden added. “If it doesn’t work as Fen wants, you and I will dissuade them as much as possible.”

  “Very well,” Darrius responded. “But don’t kill the imposters, Fen. If you dispatch them, Aaron will sense they’ve vanished and may send his soldiers to investigate.”

  “Move your mountains, Chance,” Alden directed as he nodded toward Carn Menyn.

  Chance led Hildred to the edge of the hilltop. “Once I’ve moved the cairns, Hildred and I will disappear.”

  Remembering what he’d been taught, Chance drew in several deep breaths to steady his mind and then raised a hand toward Carn Menyn and another hand toward Carn Breseb. He closed his eyes and probed the depth and breadth of both mounds with his mind. He envisioned the vastness of the living communities on each cairn, from the microorganisms to the mammals. Taking care to maintain the integrity of their existence, he rotated his left hand in the air. Carn Menyn slowly rose into the dark sky. Simultaneously, he turned his right hand and raised Carn Breseb from the moor. The hills passed each other quickly and settled on the ground in their new locations.

  The process took less than three seconds.

  Chance scrambled onto Hildred’s back. “Wish me luck!” he called out as he and the stag vanished.

  “Where did they go?” Fen asked.

  “Hildred has taken him to Carn Menyn to search for the crystal,” Alden replied. “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine.”

  “Look!” Darrius called out. “The doppelgangers have mobilized. They are flying to intercept Chance on Carn Menyn.”

  “We’ll see about that!” Fen declared as she faced the imposters. She held her hands toward the three approaching forms. “Come on, Chance, give me some of your energy,” she uttered as she clenched her jaws and grimaced.

  A pulse of white energy radiated from her outstretched fingers, spreading up her hands and arms until her entire body was illuminated with a lustrous glow. As the doppelgangers drew near, Fen threw her hands outward, deploying a bright white bubble that rocketed toward them. The dome of light encased the men who ceased moving the moment the energy touched them. With the three imposters safely ensnared, Fen maneuvered them back to Carn Goedog and settled them onto the summit.

  “It will be less taxing on my power if I keep them on the ground near me instead of in the air at a distance,” said. “Now, if Chance can find his crystal before I tire maintaining this energetic web around my hostages...”

  The white stag materialized beside a large boulder jutting from the summit on Carn Menyn. Chance jumped to the ground and tripped over a large rock. When he righted himself, he realized the entire hilltop was littered with bluestone fragments of varying sizes. He collected several smaller specimens and stuffed them into his pockets.

  The stag trotted toward the center of the cairn. He pawed the ground and stared back at Chance.

  “Is that where I’ll find the crystal?” Chance asked.

  The beast shook his massive antlers and responded telepathically. The precious one slumbers in the carn’s bosom.

  Those are the words Sybil shared with me, Chance responded. She highlighted that passage in the Family Records. He glanced around. I don’t see anything.

  Hildred reared up and stomped the ground with such force the cairn shook violently. That which you seek lies in the bosom…it slumbers underground.

  Chance stared at the ground where the animal impatiently paced. Oh, I get it. I suppose I need to dig for it, or will you help me?

  Hildred snorted. Strands of thick mucus shot from his snout and splattered Chance’s chest. The beast grunted and shook his head.

  I’ll take that as a no, Chance said as he removed his shirt, which was now slick with snot.

  He knelt in the dirt. Raising one arm, he jerked his elbow skyward with the fingers and hand pointing downward like an arrow. With a strong thrust, he knifed his fingers into the dirt like the point of a blade. His fingers crumpled against a slab of rock two feet below the surface.

  “Ow!” he howled. He shoved his wounded hand into his armpit and cursed under his breath. When the throbbing subsided, he held up his hand and wiggled the fingers. “Bruised and bloodied but not broken.”

  Hildred paced nervously and bugled.

  Chance glanced toward Carn Goedog. Fen had her captives pinned to the ground. Only minutes had passed, but he knew he had to work fast.

  Okay, Hildred, let me try another way. Chance stood and planted his feet on the ground while hovering over the small hole he had created. Cupping his hands like miniature shovels, he dug into the ground at a furious pace like a dog determined to find a buried bone.

  His supernatural strength and speed made it so Chance was able to dig rapidly, creating a mound of dirt ten feet behind him within seconds. Any boulders he encountered were stacked neatly on the surface. Once the hole was large enough for him to stand in, he jumped down and dug again, flinging arcs of soil between his legs.

  A pile of debris rose into the night sky.

  Twenty feet below the surface, he encountered a four-foot-thick bluestone pillar. A circular niche had been carved out of its middle. The boulder sat vertically in the hole with ten feet of it exposed. I reckon there’s at least that much still underground, Chance commented to Hildred.

  The buck snorted and stomped the ground.

  With no moonlight to illuminate the darkness, Chance used his fingers to feel along the stone and explore the spherical nook. He deftly brushed off debris as he probed the smooth edges of the hole.

  The entrance is too tiny for my thick fingers, he told Hildred.

  The stag nodded and stamped the earth. You must try. The precious one lies within the bluestone. Hurry!

  Relying on his instinct, Chance plunged his hand into the hole and wedged a finger into the recess. As he wiggled it around, he felt a sharp point. He withdrew his hand. I felt something pointy.

  Chance repositioned himself in the shaft to allow more room to maneuver his hand back into the pillar. Twisting his arm and rotating his hand he enlarged the nook’s opening to three inches, allowing two fingers to enter. They instantly contacted a faceted nugget.

  Chance stopped and panted. I found it, Hildred!

  Steadying the object with the two fingers, he twisted his thumb into the recess until it touched the gem’s hard surface.

  He pinched the small object and extracted it from its sacred sanctuary. Once his hand emerged from the nook, he closed his fist over the nugget. He squeezed hard for fear the tiny jewel would tumble out and be lost in the darkness.

  But he was curious.

  He opened his hand and gently explored the stone with the fingers of his other hand. There were four smooth, primary sides and a crown peppered with miniature facets.

  I have it, Hildred. I’m coming back out!

  He clenched the jewel, then squatted, and propelled upward using his powerful legs. He shot several feet above the shaft opening and landed softly on the cairn surface.

  Chance extended his hand toward Hildred, his fingers unfurling like flower petals as he held the stone under the stag’s nose.

  Is this the Crystal of Earth? Chance asked.

  Yes, the beast replied.

  Chance deposited the gem into a small, leather pouch slung around his neck.

  Now I need to replace the rocks and dirt.

  Mindful that the cairn needed to be reconstructed in the precise manner it originally existed, Chance worked swiftly until the hole was replaced with the dirt and boulders as it was before.

  He was filthy.

  A fine layer of dirt covered his naked upper body. Brown furrows creased his forehead and muddy lines trailed away from his eyes. He brushed off what dirt he could before replacing his shirt and carefully tucking the pouch inside.

  Now would be a great time for a shower, Chance joked as he searched the dark sky for rain clouds.

  Hildred bobbed his head. I will take you back to Carn Goedog but then I must leave you. The Lord beckons me. The stag nudged Chance to climb onto its back.

  Once Chance mounted, they vanished and reappeared atop Carn Goedog. Chance jumped off, and the massive buck instantly disappeared.

  “I was successful!” Chance yelled as he approached the others. “Now I need to move the cairns back to their original locations.”

  “About time,” Fen snarled through clenched teeth. Sweat poured down her reddened face. “I don’t think I can hold this energy field much longer.”

  “Can you redirect them back to Foel Drygarn?” Darrius inquired. “If you can do that while Chance moves the cairns, there might be a chance the imposters won’t be aware we moved anything at all.”

  “It’s worth a try,” Fen responded.

  Chance held his hands toward the two hilltops and nodded at Fen. “Let’s get this done, Fenny.” While Chance moved the two mounds back to their original locations, Fen redirected the gelatinous energy ball encasing the three doppelgangers across the moor and back to the hill fort. She settled them onto the ground and then removed the energy.

  Fen crumpled to the ground and panted.

  “Are you okay?” Chance cried out as he knelt by her side.

  “Just extremely worn out,” she replied flashing a quick smile.

  Alden studied the three forms on Foel Drygarn. “The doppelgangers are staggering around the summit like drunkards. Fen’s power may have drained them.”

  Chance held Fen and lifted her to her feet.

  “I could have used a little more of your power, Chance, but I didn’t want to weaken you too much,” Fen said as she gently kissed his cheek.

  “Good thing you didn’t take too much,” he responded. “Because I needed to dig twenty feet through bedrock to find my crystal.” He withdrew the leather pouch and removed the tiny gemstone. “It’s much smaller than the others,” he said as he presented the stone.

  “But it’s just as important,” Darrius added. “I suggest you put it away to keep it safe.”

  “The imposters are staring in our direction but are not moving,” Alden reported.

  “Excellent,” Darrius stated. “I think the plan has worked.”

  “What will happen if we leave?” Fen asked.

  “We will need to fashion body doubles for ourselves before we leave,” Alden suggested. “If you agree, I’ll create them as we teleport.”

  “Agreed,” Darrius said. “It’s critical that we get Chance and Fen to the safety of the cottage as soon as possible—”

  “Wait, Darrius,” Chance interrupted. “We need to save Hilly.”

  “The only thing you need to do is protect the crystal. And Fen needs to be out of harm’s way.”

  “But—”

  Darrius held up a hand. “No further discussion. Both of you will stay with Alden in the cottage.

  “Alden, please accompany Fen back to Amesbury, and I’ll transport Chance.”

  “I can flick back to the house on my own, thank you,” Chance insisted. He crossed his arms and scowled.

  “I’m aware of that, but I also know you’re stubborn and may flick to a location elsewhere so you can run to Mount Snowdon and help free Hilly.” Darrius placed a hand on Chance’s shoulder. “You will come with me. I insist.”

  He tightened his grip, and Chance bent under the pain. “Ow! Okay. I’ll go with you.”

  “I appreciate your understanding,” Darrius responded. “Once we’re back in Amesbury, I’ll share more about the situation with the Yfel.”

  “I’m ready to deploy our doppelgangers, Darrius,” Alden advised.

  “Very well. Let’s reconvene at the cottage.” Still gripping Chance’s shoulder, Darrius disappeared with the magician.

  Alden wrapped his arm around Fen, and they vanished as well.

  Chapter 23

  Denali’s Plea

  Hilly’s telepathic scream hurtled around the globe, racing along the invisible magnetic ley lines and rushing through the ether—the magical realm of existence.

  My daughter! Denali called out, knowing her message would never be delivered. The Yfel Brethren had used high magic to prevent communication of any sort and to cloak Hilly’s location.

  But Denali knew.

  The Prophecy had revealed where Hilly would be held captive, but Denali could do nothing to save her earth daughter.

  Still, a natural connection existed between them. Despite the cloaking magic, Denali could hear, see, and feel everything Hilly experienced. And when the blue opal was ripped from her throat, Denali screamed in her ice castle just as Hilly’s agonizing cry ripped through her brain.

  Denali pounded the icy walls of her sanctuary. Waves of avalanches cascaded down her slopes, causing glaciers to crack and buckle. An enormous blizzard swirled clockwise around her summit and unleashed torrents of snow and ice crystals.

  The pain did not subside. Her anguish only grew.

  My child, I will set things right. I will restore the blue opal and silence the voices again.

  She received silence in response.

  Denali wept.

  Icy tears slid down her frosted crystal dress and shattered on the frozen floor.

  Disturbing images of tortured souls flashed in Denali’s mind. They demanded that Hilly die so they could escape their wretched existence locked inside her body.

  Denali sensed Hilly neared the brink of madness as she struggled between delirium, sanity, and rage. Hilly would go mad. Denali was sure of this. If she didn’t intervene, her daughter would not survive.

  Denali needed assistance. She would reach out to Lord Yr Wyddfa, the earth spirit who ruled the dominion of Mount Snowdon.

  But it would not be easy.

  She had insulted Yr Wyddfa fifty-six million years earlier when she rose from the tectonic plates and grew into the tallest mountain in North America. Like an unruly child, the young earth spirit had announced her arrival to the rest of the world by abusing her powers and causing chaos and destruction around the globe.

  She offended the ancient spirit with her headstrong ways.

  Denali had created a schism between them, and Lord Yr Wyddfa severed all communication.

  Now, Denali needed him. After millions of years, would he even listen?

  She would need to be contrite. A sincere apology, one with her ego in check, might open the door that she slammed shut so long ago. Denali sat on an icy bench in her sanctuary and prepared.

  Calm and composed, she reached out.

  Lord Yr Wyddfa, I beseech you. Denali paused.

  Silence.

  Lord Yr Wyddfa, I’m in need of your help.

  No reply.

  I treated you unfairly so long ago. Regrettably, I acted like a spoiled child, an ignorant brat who thought she knew more about the world than anyone else. I am ashamed of my behavior. I would not tolerate those insults from another, and I don’t blame you for rebuffing me. I apologize, and I’m in great need of your assistance. My earth child, Hilly, has been taken prisoner in your realm. Please, Yr Wyddfa, help me.

  The Firewalker is bound by the Prophecy, as we are, he responded apathetically.

  Denali gasped. His unexpected response gave her hope.

  Yes, but I know you intervened on behalf of your earth child, Chance, to improve his chances of finding the crystal. How is that not interfering with the design of the Prophecy? How would it appear if Hilly perishes on your slopes and the hope of peace for this world is forever gone?

  She must endure what she must endure, he tersely remarked.

  Are you saying you will not aid my child? Denali asked, her words biting and direct.

  You try my patience, Denali. I did not claim I would not help your child. I merely stated that the Firewalker witch is destined to endure pain at the hands of the Yfel. I cannot interfere. To your point, Hildred aided in speeding up the process of Chance locating the crystal, but Chance would have found it eventually. There is a difference.

  Denali’s anger exploded. Shockwaves propelled ice daggers upward through the mountain and into the atmosphere. How dare you preach to me! I was the one who witnessed their battle on my slopes. I was the one forced to stand by while the tortured souls of thousands transferred into my daughter’s body. I did not intervene in any of those instances because of the Prophecy. If you do not stop the course of destruction unfolding on your slopes, this world will be plunged into darkness.

  Denali sighed. Her unchecked fury would surely end the conversation with Yr Wyddfa. She followed with a softer voice. We are so close. Hilly and Kai have restored their crystals to their seats of power. Chance has located his crystal and Fen will soon begin her quest for the fourth gemstone. But if Hilly should perish, we will no longer have the four who will restore peace. That responsibility lies firmly on your shoulders.

 

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