"What could be so important that how you look would affect it so drastically?" She asked.
"I"ve never been able to express how much I care about you, Sarah." Hopper began, "The words " I love you" just don"t describe the depth of emotion I feel. I thought this weekend I could finally show you how deeply I care about you."
"There"s no doubt in my mind how much you love me, Todd. I see it in your eyes every time you look at me." Sarah sat up and turned to face him. "Actually I was going to tell you this weekend, I"m ready to take our relationship to another level."
Hopper pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. ""The truth is . . . I was going to propose."
Sarah leaned forward and whispered, "What"s stopping you?"
"It doesn"t bother you that our memories of this moment could be overshadowed by the fact that I look like a bobble head Big Foot?"" Hopper stared at her, unsure.
"We"ll have the most original, romantic, tale of *love conquers all" to tell our grandkids." Sarah smiled.
Hopper jumped up and pulled the beautiful blue-eyed sorceress to her feet and knelt before her.
"Sarah Sims, the love of my life, the only woman that I will ever, could ever love, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"Even if you stay a troll forever, yes." Sarah answered as she reached down to caress his cheek.
Letting out a hoop that echoed through the valley, Hopper leapt forward and took her into his arms, completely unaware of the approaching shadow.
The darkness deepened, Nicole felt the presence of another. Dressing quickly, she left Jack asleep in the gra.s.s and moved toward the stand of trees at the edge of the glen. A tall, ancient looking elf emerged from the shadows as she neared. He wore long velvet robes similar to Sarah"s. He was a sorcerer, yet his eyes were soft and guileless. His long white hair stretched out to encompa.s.s his shoulders and arms. His high cheekbones and pointed ears told her all she needed to know. He was with their pursuers.
He waited patiently for her to approach. This could not be the evil wizard that Dr. Strong had spoken of, her elfin senses found no danger. Yet suspicion lingered inside.
"What do you want of me?" She asked, as she stopped mere inches before him.
"Freedom." He answered, simply. A light breeze came from behind. His long white hair flowed at its touch.
"You are unenc.u.mbered I see no need to a.s.sist you." She answered, staring into his deep blue eyes.
"I seek your a.s.sistance none the less." He replied. His voice was calm. Wisdom seemed to radiate from him.
""In what way?" She hesitated and took a step backward.
"Deliverance." He whispered, closing the gap between them.
"You wish me to rescue you?" Nicole asked.
"To rescue us all." He finished.
"From whom?"
""From the evil that threatens to consume this land and all who dwell within." The wizard"s eyes narrowed as he spoke. "The one that sent you here has deceived you, as he has many others before you."
"Dr. Strong?" She smiled, coldly, understanding.
"Puissant, as he is called here. He is evil."
"You are a deceiver." Nicole countered.
"He was banished from this land."
"Just as the Elf Queen was I suppose."
"Queen Briees is unharmed and living in the comfort of her palace." He stated.
"You lie!" Nicole reached out and took hold of the front of his robes. "I am here to end your reign of terror. I will free the Queen and break your hold over her warriors. "
"I am brother to the Queen." He said calmly. "I am her protector, tutor of the prince, sorcerer, only for their protection."
"Fabricator of tales, propagator of deceit. " Nicole refused to release him.
"You will find only death in the Cave of Sorrows. It would be a true pity. Your people cannot afford to suffer such a great loss. There is merely a handful of woodland elves left to walk these mountains. You may well be the last female among them. That is why you have appeared. Not to free the beast, but to continue the woodland heritage. I see that now. My magic has worked its own will. I have made you what you are. You would have been lost as a sorceress."
"What?" Nicole stammered, caught off guard.
"A woodland elf has been hiding inside you all of your life. The unexplained anger you have felt since birth was the elfin magic trying to surface." He raised his hand and a spark lit the air. The vision of their arrival filled the ball of 1ight before her. Nicole saw herself screaming with rage and shoving the others from her.
"My spell shifted your transformation, freed your magic. It was here that it battled your fears, ambitions and the disappointment of your real life. Only here can you be truly happy. Free the beast in the Cave of Sorrows and you will return to a life you were never to lead."
"There is no beast in the cave. We are here to free the elf queen, you have imprisoned there." Nicole shoved him backward as she released her grip. "Your lies do not affect me old man." She pulled her short sword from her belt and held it to his throat.
"Move on or die."
"It would be wise to listen to me." He answered.
"I take it by your resistance that you choose death." She whispered.
"I will leave you, but heed a warning. Your peril begins here and will end in death if you continue toward your goal. The only way to freedom is through me."
"We will continue and we will succeed." Nicole shoved him from her, watching as he moved back into the shadows.
Nicole glanced back toward Jack and considered the old man"s words.
Hopper was violently jerked from Sarah"s arms. He screamed in pain as the Giant black beast buried its teeth into the back of his neck. Sarah stood frozen in horror. The large black serpent-like monster threw Hopper across the hollow as if he were a rag doll. Rolling with the impact, Hopper landed on his feet and turned to meet the charge of the giant creature, ignoring the pain and blood that flowed down his shoulders.
Its long jawed snout reached out in front of it, snapping viciously as it neared. The firelight reflected off its long razor-like teeth. Suddenly it rose on its short back legs and raced across the clearing, its thick tail snapping in its wake as it emitted a shrill howl that stung Sarah"s ears jolting her into action.
The beast locked onto Hoppers legs, diving under him, sending them both rolling back down the embankment and into the dying embers of the fire. Tumbling with the beast, Hopper managed to encircle its thick throat with his hands. The long black snout swung from side to side, snapping at his face and arms as he attempted to strangle the beast. Crawling-on top Hopper sat on its chest and continued to squeeze, digging his claws into its scaled flesh. Shifting its long body with a jerk, it sent the sting of its tail into Hopper"s eyes, sending him reeling as his vision darkened with blood.
Sarah"s screams filled the air as the beast jumped onto Hopper"s back and shredded the flesh of his already blood soaked shoulder with its ma.s.sive jaws.
A spell! She must use a spell to save Todd! Sarah s.n.a.t.c.hed up her book and tore it open. She screamed the first incantation she came across. The beast jerked, dropping Todd as it turned to stare at the sorceress screeching words of magic. Falling to the ground it began to writhe, shrieking in pain. As she watched, the black beast became covered with large open sores, its claws and tail began to decay from the potency of her spell. In its anguish, it rose and charged her.
Not fully recovered from his battle with the tunnel troll, Hopper"s strength was failing. Yet he knew if the beast reached Sarah she would be dead in an instant. Forcing his body to move Hopper grabbed the beast"s back legs. Lunging back at him the creature crushed his arm in its jaws and threw him against the large fir tree.
Dropping the book, Sarah ran forward terrified for Hopper. The beast turned, its snout dripping with blood, and charged. Without words Sarah threw her fire spell at the beast and screamed. Her cry was matched by that of another as Nicole dove into the beast, her small sword flashing. Jack tackled Sarah knocking her out of the beast"s path and dragging her further from the battle.
"Get Hopper to the cave!" He yelled, shoving her toward the motionless figure lying in the gra.s.s. Sarah raced to his side and pulled Hopper to his feet. Dragging him toward the thicket. Behind her, the brutal sounds of battle escalated as her friends sought to destroy the monster. Plunging into the brush, she vowed to place Hopper out of harms reach and return to help them. Finding the entrance to the cave, she cast the spell of light Hopper had helped her memorize and gasped at the small cave filled with a soft white light. Hopper was completely covered in blood. The gash in his neck pulsed blood with each heart beat. His left arm was nearly severed at the elbow.
Forgetting the others, she ripped the hood from her robe and bound his arm tightly to stop the flow of blood. She pushed the soft fabric into his reopened and now the much worse neck wound and held it there against the flow of blood.
"Dr. Strong!" She screamed, "I"ve had enough, end this now!" Her only answer was the echo of her scream. "You cannot allow Todd to continue!" Still only echoes replied. "I will sue!" She-screamed, horrified that something had gone wrong. Had Todd really been injured and they were so involved with his wounds that he could not be brought back? Was the blood she was seeing real? What was happening? Fighting back the tears, Sarah battled Hopper"s injuries and prayed that she had not become so involved in the fantasy that she"d lost her mind.
" It"s belly!" Jack yelled across the dying embers of the fire. "Go for the soft skin of its stomach!" Without hesitation, Nicole slid under the beast and slashed at the gray skin of its stomach as she rolled free."
"Quit the acrobatics and kill it!" Jack yelled as he ran forward.
Nicole jumped back and allowed Jack to move toward the snarling creature. "It"s a creature of magic; you shouldn"t have sent Sarah away. Once she calmed down she could have killed it." She yelled, over the beast howls of rage.
"A sword in the gut is as good as any spell." Jack said as he dove on the beast and pulled back its snout. His sword landed at Nicole she grabbed it and shoved it deep its belly.
The black creature gasped, jerked, then fell silent at Nicole"s feet. She yanked the sword free and handed it back to Jack. A shout of fury came from the darkness they glanced up to see the elf warriors charge into the hollow, swords drawn. Sheathing his sword, Jack grabbed Nicole"s arm and ran for the thicket. They dove inside and raced for the narrow entrance of the cave. As they entered they found Sarah leaning over the blood soaked Hopper. Jack stared, so stricken he could not move.
Nicole took control, "The game is over." She gasped, fearing Jack was right about their host. "Dr. Strong has lost control and the elves are coming. We"ve got to a.s.sume whatever happen to us at this point is real to our minds and just as damaging to our bodies. Get Hopper deeper into the cave."
Jack glanced toward the entrance and turned back to Sarah. "You"ve got to block the pa.s.sage."
"I don"t have my book." she stammered, shaking her head.
"You"ve read every spell in that book at least a dozen times. You can remember you"re a sorceress!" Jack reached down and he took her gently by the shoulders. "Todd"s life may depend on it!"
"You"re serious? You think Strong has lost control?" Sarah rose and stared at Nicole.
"Does it look like Hopper"s having a good time?" Nicole answered, softly.
"Nicole, wrap his shoulder, very tightly." She ordered and she turned toward the entrance. "Keep pressure on his neck, Jack."
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Sarah moved closer to the entrance. The sounds of the warriors searching the brush grew louder as Sarah recalled the fire spell she had used in the tunnels. She chanted the strange words and felt the magic surge up inside her as the purple flame flared and burned growing larger to keep the elves at bay. She searched the magic, still strong within her for another spell. Then without warning, it came to her. A spell of disaster.
"Move Todd further into the cave!" She yelled back to them over the roar of the fire. She began the chant and slowly backed away from the entrance. The magic tingled and grew within her, stronger that it had ever been before. Sarah felt the power surge through her, captivating her senses. The walls of the cave began to crumble the entrance filled with dust and sand, followed quickly by a deafening shower of rock.
Moving quickly away from the avalanche of boulders, Sarah cast a light spell in front of them. They struggled to carry Hopper"s large form as they began the search for a place to rest. Hopper failed to regain consciousness as they ventured further into the cave. Finally the narrow pa.s.sageway gave way to a large chamber that allowed them to place Hopper on a patch of sand encasing a small stream.
"He"s dying!" Sarah sobbed, "How can this be happening?"
"He"s going to be fine." Nicole soothed, "The battle has gotten out of hand, that"s all. We should be in the last hour or so of our adventure. Dr. Strong gave us a hypnotic suggestion that the fantasy will end once we free the Elf Queen."
"Nicole," Jack said, "Strong sent us into a fantasy he cannot control. The stress of managing four minds must be too much for him. You said so yourself, we were his test group."
"That"s not likely. If he felt any of us were in danger . . ."
Sarah interrupted Nicole, "Then why is it that I"ve asked him, begged him several times to end the fantasy and he has not? I"m beginning to think I"ve lost my mind and this . . . nightmare is real."
"You"re as sane as I am." Jack countered. "Maybe Nicole"s right maybe Strong can"t end the fantasy until we finish the quest."
"Then let"s get it done and get the h.e.l.l out of here!" Sarah spat between clenched teeth.
"You"ll have to go on without me." Hopper said with a grunt as he tried to rise.
"I won"t leave you behind." Sarah gasped as she kneeled down to embrace him. She brushed the scraggly hair back from his face and began to examine his wounds.
"Stuff me under a ledge and find the elf queen. I"ll only slow you down." Hopper insisted, falling back onto the sand. "I don"t even have the strength to sit up, you"d have to carry me."
"Nicole, head down that pa.s.sage to the right and check for another cave." Jack ordered, nodding at Hopper.
"I won"t leave him!" Sarah rose to face Jack.
Jack"s voice softened as he stepped closer to Sarah. "There"s a ledge on the other side of the stream, he can hide in the shadows if anyone appears. I don"t think they have a wizard. They won"t see him by torch light." Jack reached for her hand. "We"ll travel twice as fast without him. We don"t want those wounds opening up again and I"m sure you really don"t want to force him to endure the pain of being dragged through the caverns."
Sarah stared at Jack in silence then she turned to Hopper and said, "You promise to stay put?"
"Yes, ma"am." He smiled, weakly and reached up to squeeze her hand. It was as cold as ice. Sarah conceded, suddenly terrified of the alternative.
Nicole returned and smiled softly at her injured friend. "There"s a large cavern with several pa.s.sages a few meters into the tunnel."
They carried Hopper across the shallow stream and placed him on a small stretch of sand under the rock ledge just above the water line. Sarah kissed him deeply and ripped the bottom half of her robe off at the knees. She placed it over him as Hopper said, "Promise me you won"t rip anymore of your robes until you get back. They"re looking a bit skimpy at the moment."
Sarah smiled as she covered his chest and arms. "I love you." She whispered, turned to follow the others to the next cavern. The light vanished as she disappeared leaving Hopper in total darkness. Sarah glanced back and said a quick prayer that adventure was under control and that Todd would be fine. Lighting each tunnel and cave they entered, she joined in the search for the Cavern of Sorrow, her thoughts never left Todd. If he believed he was dying . . . under hypnosis what would happen?
Chapter Nine.
Sarah and Nicole searched each pa.s.sageway as Jack examined the walls of the cave, there was no sign of a crystal1ine formation. After what seemed like hours Nicole forced herself through a narrow crack in the wall of another tunnel. A cold breeze wafted through the small crack, urging her forward. As the narrow tunnel ended, Nicole found herself in a small chamber of crystalline rock. Sarah threw her light spell into the chamber and the Elf Queen"s image appeared before Nicole.
"This is it!" She called through the crack. She"s here and she gorgeous!" Nicole gazed at the beautiful golden haired elf dressed in a gold gown encased in what looked like rose quartz. Nicole she moved to touch the surface of the pink crystal and jerked her hand back as the frigid rock burned her fingers. A commotion came from behind her as the tunnel walls collapsed into rubble. As the dust began to settle Jack and Sarah climbed over the debris and into the chamber.
"You"re getting good at that." Nicole grinned at Sarah as the sorceress examined the queen"s enclosure.
A slight movement in the shadows caught Jacks attention and he surged forward, jumping past them to yank the ancient elf wizard into the light. "Who are you?" Jack demanded, shoving him toward the women.
"My name is Ahmity, I am here to warn you." He answered, gazing past Jack toward Nicole.
"He"s the wizard that imprisoned the Queen! Kill him and let"s finish this." Nicole spat, tired of his interference.
Jack said as she stared at Nicole in surprise. "There"s been enough death in this adventure."
"Give us your warning and leave." Sarah ordered as she pulled the talisman from her robes.
Unsettled by the sight of the jewel the wizard spoke quickly. "That is a device of darkness. Use it and we will all perish."
"Leave us, old man. Before Nicole takes it on herself to end your life."Jack warned as he released him.