Search for the Crystal Key (A Continuation of Dark Escape)

Chapter 14

Flames danced around the light show of elusive sparks as Joshua put another branch he'd obtained from a seasoned fallen oak tree onto the fire. His mind raced with concern as he watched Lucy's health dissipate with every passing hour. He was baffled. She looked healthy to the naked eye. She showed no symptoms of disease yet grew weaker and weaker for no apparent reason. He'd hoped the old wizard would create a potion to heal her. Now he was faced with the dilemma of taking her to Balthazar in her weakened condition or seeking aide from an old witchdoctor who lived in the most remote depths of the mountains. He weighed the pros and cons of both and decided that it would be far more advantageous for him to deliver a healthy and vibrant young enchantress to the Lord of Shadow Land than to show up with the shell of a woman who lay snuggled beneath the woolen blankets he'd brought along.

Joshua sighed. He'd never been to the witchdoctor and only had a vague idea of where he was located. He was going to need help finding him. This would necessitate calling upon one of his pets. Normally, he wouldn't hesitate, but his fear of the girl recognizing them was acute.

Lucy moaned as she rolled around the ground in search of a more comfortable position. Her normally rosy complexion was hallowed and pale. The dark circles under her eyes hinted at the severity of the situation. Every bone in his body told him the young enchantress was dying, but why?

If he was to solicit help in finding the witchdoctor he'd better do it while she was sleeping. Looking at the sky, he searched for the location of the North Star. Once he found it he closed his eyes and focused his thoughts to project across the barrier that stood between the human world and Shadow Land. This was no easy task and his body swayed from the exertion. When he finished he walked back to the fire and sat cross-legged on the grass, close enough to stay warm, but far enough away to avoid burns from a rogue spark or two. He'd given it his all. There was nothing to do now, but wait and regain his strength for whatever powers he possessed outside of Shadow Land. With the dangers that awaited in the territory they had ahead of them, he'd need them.

Not thirty minutes later he heard Bog's familiar steps. Standing just shy of eight feet tall with skin the color of midnight, unruly black coarse hair that cascaded down his back in what looked like an attempt of braiding, and piercing green and red eyes, Bog was a formidable sight to behold.

Joshua was grateful Lucy wasn't awake to witness his imposing presence.

"You summed me," Bog's deep, emotionless voice boomed.

Other than looking in Bog's direction, Joshua's body never moved from its cozy spot near the fire.

"I need you to find the witchdoctor that lives deep in these mountains. I need his exact location. Do it quickly," Joshua commanded in a firm, level tone.

"As you wish," Bog said as he bowed low and backed away until he disappeared into the deep thickets that bordered the edge of their camp.

Joshua scrutinized Lucy's sleeping body one more time before closing his eyes. Bog was the best watcher in Shadow Land. He'd accomplish his mission swiftly and efficiently, at which time he'd have to push both him and his precarious charge deep into the mountains over unfamiliar terrain to wherever the witchdoctor resided. The little quiet time he had between now and then had best be spent resting.

****

Fiona waited for Brandon's mount to drink the crisp water from the mountain stream they went out of their way to find. Using the opportunity to tune into Tara's energy, she closed her tired eyes and relaxed into the well-worn saddle she only recently re-secured on her mount. Focusing on the rhythm of her horse's breathing, Fiona's body grew lighter and lighter as she fell into an easy altered state of consciousness. Within seconds she was outside of her physical self, looking down at the picturesque scene she and Brandon made on their mounts next to the crystal blue stream of water in the untarnished wilderness. Wasting no time, she willed herself to Tara's side.