A Path Toward Home (The Annals of Avonea) (2 page)

“Bills ..... Yes, three more came today …. I'm afraid that money's been very tight lately … no I haven’t told her yet, I didn't want to upset her …..... I can't let you do that; we'll get by …..Yes, I'm going to go talk to the bank again … At least to try to save the house.”

Constance nearly choked on the lump that arose in her throat.
Would they have to move? They surely didn't have enough money to buy another house, what would they do
? Once Uncle Blake hung up the phone, Constance walked back into his office.

“Uncle Blake, are we losing the house?”

“Dutch, you heard that? Were you eavesdropping, again?”

“Yes... and I want you to tell me what's going on with you and Aunt Eleanor’s finances.” Constance said crossing her arms.

“Dutch, that's not for you to worry about.”

“Please tell me, Uncle!”

“You are so much like your mother, it amazes me. Alright I will tell you, but first you have to promise me that you won't worry about.”

“I can't promise, but I will try not to.”

“We are five months behind on our house payment, and if we don't pay the bills by next month the bank will take our house away.”

“Oh no, what are we going to do?”

“I'm going to see if I can pick up extra work. And I'm going to talk to the bank.”

“How can I help, I can see if I can find work somewhere!”

“No! You are not getting a job.”

“Mother did! Why can't I? Hundreds of women are doing it now-days.”

“I want you to live like all other seventeen year old girls that go to dances and stay home helping around the house. Do you understand?”

“No, but I'll do what you say.”

“Thank you, now go out to the swing and relax before dinnertime.”

“Yes, Uncle Blake.” Constance replied while heading out the door.

As she made her way out to the backyard swing, she was thinking deeply about how she could help. Constance sat down, hung on to the ragged ropes, and started to lightly swing back and forth.
It was silly to enjoy swinging when she was seventeen, but she had loved it ever since she was a little girl
.
That sure is funny about what mother imagined when she was my age
, Constance thought as she looked up into the sky and began swinging higher. She closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh air. The aroma of fresh cut grass and the smell of wild flowers swirled around her. For a moment, she felt as if nothing in her life had ever gone wrong, the whole world was at peace, no bills or problems to face.

Suddenly that illusion disappeared when a strong gust of wind appeared from nowhere, spinning the swing out of control. Constance was moving too fast to stop and was too high to jump when the swing crashed into the tree! Constance screamed, as she banged her head and tumbled to the ground in a pile of leaves. She lie there stunned and everything was silent, until she heard the sound of footsteps crunching in the leaves.

“Hello?” A man's voice said.

Constance’s head was spinning and she was terribly confused, for Uncle Blake's voice sounded different.

“Who do you suppose, she is?” asked the man's voice.

“I do not know,” said another man's voice.

Then abruptly she lost consciousness.

*************

Constance slowly opened her eyes, feeling a bit dizzy. She wasn't dead, but in fact very much alive and lying on a sofa of fine fabric. “
What a strange dream
?” Constance thought as she quickly glanced around.
Where am I?
It definitely was not Uncle Blake's house. It was a cottage with furnishings of light wood, and from the kitchen came a sweet unfamiliar smell. Immediately a middle aged woman came into view, standing at the stove stirring a boiling kettle.

“My lands you’re awake!” said the women who came rushing over to her side. The woman had fiery red hair and wore a green dress with a beautiful lace apron.

“Who are you? And where's Uncle Blake?” Constance asked still rubbing her head.

“I'm Elaine, and you’re in Prince Drinian's cabin.”

“Who’s Drinian?” she inquired.

“Oh, I'm sorry, you still look a little pale, please lie back down.”

“No wait, am I next door at Drew and Lilly’s?”

“Next door, whatever do you mean, dear?”

“Am I at the Simmons - my other neighbors?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about, dear. All I know is that Woodphere and Prince Drinian found you unconscious in the meadow, so they brought you here.”

“This place doesn’t look like anywhere near Saltwater?”

“Saltwater, where's that?”

“It's where I live,” Constance replied.

“Well, you are not in Saltwater anymore, you’re in the region of Bellania.”

“Bellania?”

“Oh dear, you must have really hurt your head.”

“No I'm fine, but where is Bellania?”

“It’s in the country of Avonea, that’s where you are.”

“I must still be dreaming, either that or I’m going crazy!”

“What's your name?” the woman asked.

“Constance Jones.”

“I am Elaine.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Elaine.”

“Well Constance, how old are you? You don't look more than seven and ten?”

“If seven and ten mean seventeen then you’re correct.”

“Now listen to me jabber, you sit here and I'll give you some berry soup and tea.” Elaine quickly got up, went over to the big black stove and scooped a bowl of soup for Constance.

“So tell me Constance, where is this Saltwater?” Elaine asked as she sat the bowl of soup in front of her guest.

“It’s in Canada.”

“I've never heard of that … but wait, you say from Canada?”

“Yes,” Constance replied, wondering why Elaine was so excited.

“How did you get here?”

“I was in my uncle’s backyard swinging and crashed into a tree. That's all that I can remember!”

All of a sudden Uncle Blake's words flashed through her head: “
If you swing on that swing until you get has high as the birds, you will disappear and go into a land that has Kings and Queens
.”

Constance eyes got wide.

“This is impossible, I must be dreaming!”

“You are not dreaming I can assure you of that.” Elaine said.

“Everything my mother told me was true!”

“How about taking a sip of tea, I'm sure that will calm your nerves.”

“Oh dear, what am I going to do, I need to return home immediately!”

“As soon as Woodphere and Prince Drinian return, I'm sure they will help you get back.”

“When will they get back?”

“They should be back by tomorrow night.”

“I can't wait until tomorrow; my Uncle Blake will be very worried.”

“Please wait,” Elaine urged. 

“Can't you take me?” Constance asked.

“No ma’am, I wouldn't be out there without a man by my side!”

“Then I'll have to go myself.”

“Do you even know where to go?”

Constance put her head down, for that was a very good question. She didn't know anything about this place, and how was she going to get home without a map?

“You can go if you want, but don't say I didn't try to warn you.”

“Warn me of what?” Constance asked.

“Oh, that there are all kinds of things in the dark woods, tigers, crocodiles, caracals and especially the Molters. And… if you plan to go out there without an escort, you’re being foolish.”

“Who are the Molters?”

“They’re the group opposed to Prince Drinian, but I'll let him explain that to you.”

Constance sat there in deep thought.

“So will you please stay here?” Elaine asked in concern.

“Alright,” Constance sighed.

Constance leaned back on the sofa and sipped her hot apple spice tea, and slurped the delicious berry soup. Constance began telling Elaine about her life in Canada, until she could no longer keep her eyes open and fell into a deep sleep.

********************

When Constance opened her eyes; the sun was shining brightly through the glass windows. She sat up, feeling the warmth of the crackling fire.

“Elaine?” Constance called getting off the sofa.

Elaine was nowhere in sight, so Constance made her way to the kitchen table where a steaming bowl of oatmeal, a cup of fresh strawberries and a freshly brewed pot of coffee sat waiting. A note had been left on the table which read -

Dear Constance,

Went to pick fresh raspberries on the other side of Fisher Hill. Help yourself to what’s on the table. There is a fresh dress for you on the bed in my bedroom.

Be back shortly,

Elaine

Constance sat down and ate until she could not take another bite. The coffee was still hot, and soothing to her frazzled nerves.

A few minutes later she walked into Elaine's tiny bedroom. She picked up the beautiful forest green dress with a wide brown leather belt around the waist and quickly put it on. It fit her perfectly! She let down her dark brown waist length hair, picked up a hairbrush that lay on a dresser, and began brushing her hair thoroughly before putting it up into a neat bun.

Constance began to explore the cottage, which consisted of three bedrooms, the living room and dining rooms, and kitchen. The room beside Elaine’s was likewise small, but decorative maps and portraits of ships covered the walls. They reminded her of home and Uncle Blake's hallway.

Constance moved into the last of the three bedrooms. It was much bigger than the other rooms with a corner fireplace and a
ginormous
bed. This was Prince Drinian's room she assumed but it looked quite simple for a prince. Several portraits sat on the fireplace mantel. One, a young woman holding a small boy, captured her attention in particular. She bore a strong resemblance to Constance’s mother!

It can’t be! Constance said to herself, as she picked up the picture. The young woman was dressed in a dark purple dress and wore her hair down. The little boy on her lap was around two years of age. Constance was sure that it was Prince Drinian! If it was her mother, that would explain everything- why her mother talked about the swing being magic! And the story she always told Constance, about the nurse taking care of a small Prince! Her mother had been here! A wave of excitement swept over her, as she studied the portrait.

Constance opened the door and peeked outside. The cottage was in the midst of a beautiful forest. The sweet smell of the magnolia trees rushed in as she opened the door. Constance walked along taking everything in the beautiful, delicate flowers, the trees swaying gently in the breeze, and the birds chirping their sweet melodies. Everything about the day seemed magical!

Constance walked until she could no longer see the cabin or even the smoke rising from the chimney. She closed her eyes and inhaled the glorious smells about her when a sudden snap broke the silence!

It must simply be an animal
, Constance thought. She shivered remembering Elaine’s words…
there are all kinds of things in the dark woods; tigers, crocodiles, caracals and especially the Molters
. Her heart pounded as she heard the sound of leaves crunching underfoot and whispering!

She looked up and saw a man standing 50 feet away from her whose back was turned! He was tall, dressed in gray armor and holding a bow, as a dagger and sword hung from his side. Constance stood petrified and ready to scream when she was grabbed from behind and a rough hand put across her mouth. As she was pushed behind a large oak tree a young man appeared, putting his finger up to his mouth to silence her.

The young man peeked from behind the tree a moment later, and gave a sigh of relief. He was well tanned and looked to be in his late teens. His dark brown hair was cut short and complimented his brown eyes. .

“Were you trying to get yourself killed?” The young man asked in a hushed voice.

“I'm sorry, I was so scared I didn’t know what to do.” Constance shakily replied.

“
Shh
! They may still be around.” he whispered.

“Are you a Molter?” she asked inquiringly.

The young man gave her a bemused grin, “You aren’t from around here are you?” he said standing up and offering a hand to Constance.

“Why did you knock me off my feet, if you are not a Molter? That was very rude of you!” Constance stated wiping the leaves off her dress as she stood up.

“I am not a Molter and I didn't want them to kill you.”

“Why, would they kill me?”

“They’re Molters, that's what they do. If you don't agree with them, you either get sold or killed. And if I'm not mistaken I don't think you would like either to happen to you.”

“But how would they know I'm not one of them?”

“If you were a Molter woman you would have a huge ring in your nose the size of a shilling.”

“Oh, well thank you for rescuing me. It was fortunate that you were here,” she said, as an older man rode up to them on his horse.

“Your Majesty, where have you been?”

“Ah, Woodphere, you should have been here a moment ago. We barely escaped with our lives; it was very exciting.”

“Your Majesty?” Constance asked in confusion.

“Yes, I am Prince Drinian,” the young man said smiling. “And you are?”

“Constance Jones”.

“Well then Constance Jones- this is Woodphere my councilman and best friend.”

“Nice to meet you,” Constance replied

“The pleasure is mine,” Woodphere replied. “Say, are you not the young lady we found in the woods yesterday?”

“Um...yes.”

“What are you doing in the dark woods?” Prince Drinian asked with a confused look.

“Elaine went to pick raspberries when I awoke, so I decided to go for a walk.”

“Are you feeling better now?” Prince Drinian asked in concern.

“Much better, thank you,” Constance replied blushing.

“You’re a long ways from the cabin Miss Jones,” Woodphere stated.

“I know, but I was enjoying the walk so much.”

“Come, let us return to the cabin,” said Woodphere.

“Please, before you go Your Majesty, I need to ask you a favor.”

“Please call me Drinian, what is it that you need?”

“I don't know how to get back home.”