Jade the Starr Within

Chapter 23

I ride ahead of everyone, Uncle Derek next to me. As we ride on, I look over into the forest. Two elves are harassing a woman. Uncle Derek quickly uses his bow to dispose of them and the woman runs over. She carries a child, about two. Her hair is a bright orange and she has olive green eyes.

"Dandelion." Uncle Derek hugs his sister.

"Derek, what the hell is going on? I came to visit and I was jumped." She says.

"Sir! Look!" Luke points to an orange circle, the only portal to the human world. It is slowly shrinking.

"No, no, no." Dandelion runs as fast as she can but it disappears.

"The lack of magic in the air. It's severing ties to the other world." I explain.

"We'll explain back at base. Black knight, do you mind?" Uncle Derek asks.

"Not at all." I dismount my horse and help Dandelion onto it.

"Who is this?" I ask, referring to the child. He has red hair and green eyes, with a face full of freckles.

"His name is Derek Alistair Gem. When we have both Dereks, the younger is Little Derek."

"It's lovely to meet you Little Derek. Are you here alone?" I ask.

"Yes. I've been staying with April, Crystal's human mother. My husband left me the moment he found out I was pregnant."

"If I could find him, I'd kill him." Uncle Derek says.

Suddenly, an elf jumps in front of the horse. It rears and launches Little Derek and Dandelion into the air. Uncle Derek dives and catches the child, but, it's the elf that catches Dandelion.

"Well, ahoy, miss." He looks like an elf, but with blonde hair and brown eyes rather than the traditional looks. "Are you rebels?" He asks, gently setting down Dandelion. "Apologies for scaring you."

"What do you want?" I demand, the tip of my katana to his throat.

"Quarter. From the other elves."

"I don't know you." Khay'rat pushes to the front. The blonde elf is noticeably older than Khay'rat.

"Good day, mate. Er, should I say night. You see, I've been traveling for years through the oceans. The only way through realms, other than your precious portals, and I've become lost. I was attacked and my ship stolen."

I look over at Khay'rat and Kazimir. "Let's go. But, I'm in charge."

"Yes, sir. I can, uh, take the horse and follow along with the lady here." He suggests.

"No." Uncle Derek replies quickly.

"So, mates, where are we off to?"

"Shut up and you'll find out." I snap