The Secret

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

At six thirty seven slightly rumpled teenagers walked into a gigantic dining room. In the words of Dan, "It's more like a mess hall for an army." The cave, for it was another cave, had ten arched doorways running along each of the side walls, and one on the end walls. Stone pillars here and there supported the high ceiling. Certainly the room could fit several hundred if need be.

A massive oak table ran from one end to the other, still leaving tons of space. It was decorated with intricate designs carved on the edges, up the legs, and at each seat. If there had been seats, that is. In the very center a dragon was carved, decorated with trimmings of birch, cherry, and ash trees.

"Must've taken decades to make," Callie breathed, running a hand of the smooth wood.

"It's all one piece!"

"Why that must be over one hundred feet!"

"I think you may be exaggerating a little there, Eli." Stephen started walking toward the other end of the room. "Well come on. I don't think we're going to get anything to eat standing around up here."

"You said it! Let's go get some grub!" Dan raced through the cavernous place, realizing just how hungry he was.

"You know I do wonder if we're all insane doing this," Ollie mused aloud.

"We won't know 'till we try."

Dinner was satisfying enough for the seven. Except for being stared at by a little less than a score of people they didn't know. One or two could be pointed out as an aunt or uncle only met once before.

At the head of the table sat a lean, muscular man with dark hair and hawkish features. On one side of him sat two women, on the other, two men. One woman had white hair, which was strange for she looked to be in her early thirties. She was dark from long hours in the sun, and a spray of freckles scattered about her face. The other woman had red hair and was equally tanned, but she sat stiffly and looked stern. The men resembled each other, with their fair hair and soft features. They wore unreadable expressions, but seemed weary. From their silence and serious expressions the seven guessed they were Protectors. And something was seriously wrong.

"Maybe they got in a fight with the dragon," Eli suggested with a smirk. That earned a punch from Kimmy. Before he could objeCt Dotti broke in. "Don't Eli." She gestured to the people around them. They sat in bundles, staring at them, gesturing and whispering eve th now and then."What do you think they're interested in?"

"Oh they probably just want to see who the boss is." Dan got six blank stares. "Why me of course."

"Oh shut up."

"In your dreams, man."

"Never happening."

"Pshaw!"

"You're hilarious."

"Uh-huh. Call me when that happens, will ya?"

Dan rolled his eyes and turned back to his empty plate. "You just wait and see."

Just just then Jay appeared beside Ollie. "Hey guys. Get settled? Better be, cause the next few days will be chaotic. You'll probably be too exhausted at the end of the day to do anything but fall into your bed."

"Your speaking from experience?"

She nodded. "When I first came here I almost didn't live through the first week." She grinned mysteriously. "But cher up, guys. You're Protectors-in-training. You'll have it much worse." That earned a chorus of groans.

"So how'd you get into all this," Dotti dared to ask.

"Afriad that's confidential. But I did tell you I'm the daughter of a Protector, right? My mom is Thalicia, the third Protector."

Fourteen eyes turned to the head of the table.

"Is that the one with dark hair or light hair?"

A sad light came to their cousins eyes. "Neither." No one had a chance to ask what she meant, for the Protector at the head of the room stood up and the room quieted.