Wonder Lost

The Third Fortress

Isabella hovered next to the window, closing it so Leo and the other residents of the Oasis, whether they were good or bad, wouldn’t get cold. She followed the path she had seen in her dream and passed the city. There was a small grassland in between the city and the mountains but she sympathized for the slaves working on the large field next to it.

After she passed the first mountain, Liam’s fortress came into view. It looked exactly like her dream: the three towers—or really, two and a half—and the main building surrounded by giant, thick walls with archers lining every side. At each corner, there was a plain blue flag.

Isabella flew up, increasing her altitude. Hopefully the archers weren’t expecting an air raid. She hovered over the building that Liam had been in—in her dream— and dove down. She plummeted like a bullet, too fast for anyone to see. Luckily, the building had three stories, contrary to her dream, and Ruby’s bedroom was on the third floor. She was sleeping in her light pink bed, her face shining with dried tears. Ruby’s room had light gray walls and a carpeted floor, unlike the rest of the building.

Isabella floated down, observing the second floor. It was another bedroom and the king-sized gray bed had one side with fresh roses on it. Next to the roses was a figure sleeping, which Isabella took for Liam. She could hear him snoring lightly.

The first floor was the throne room, and in a corner there was a small closet with an open door. Inside were hundreds of incomplete axes, varying from tiny to giant. One of them was complete and was lying in front. It was an axe the size of her forearm and had a blade with green edges. The handle was made of metal, maybe platinum.

One of the servants saw her. He rubbed his eyes, not sure if what he was seeing was real. She recalled her making a key out of air. She pictured herself as pure air, invisible to the human eye. She took her memories of Leo as strength to do it and as Liam’s alarm clock went off, she floated into his room, moving past the walls as if they weren’t even there.

Liam was waking up and sat up in bed. His eyes were still closed. Isabella moved to the middle of the room, making herself half gas, so she was visible to him but still untouchable.

Liam screamed when he saw her.

“What are you—? How are—? I thought—?” He seemed incapable of forming a full sentence. He swallowed. “I thought you were dead? What—?”

“I am dead, Liam Aroh,” she said, her eyes narrowing. “You killed me. You killed William Jacobs. You killed Stanley and Emma Jacobs.”

“I-I’m sorry, I—!”

“You killed Beatrice Niel. You are imprisoning Rose Jacobs.”

“Okay, I’ll—”

“No you won’t!” Isabella shouted, zooming toward him. Liam leaned backward, away from her, his heart pounding. “You shut up! Do you hear me?” Liam nodded quickly. “Killing Beatrice and me hurt Tony and Leo. They’re in pain. And it’s because of you. You’ll pay someday. Wh—?”

“I promise, I’ll leave them alone! I’ll never attack them again! I—”

“You dare interrupt me?” Isabella bellowed. “I told you to shut your mouth, and you defy me? A curse will be put on you and your daughter, Ruby Aroh. It would be a shame if something were to… happen to her, wouldn’t it?” She dissolved into air, invisible to Liam.

“You leave my daughter out of this!” Liam screeched. “She didn’t do anything! It was all me! Punish me!”

Isabella flew out of the castle, surprised yet again at the level of sacrifice Liam was asking. He would trade his own life for his daughter? She didn’t know that he could be so… selfless. Isabella’s invisibility cloak faded away. She managed to fly to the grasslands, but she quickly dropped to the ground, exhausted from the effort. Going invisible had drained her.

Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder, pulling her up.

“Are you lost?” said a slaveholder.

“No,” Isabella said. “But do you have any water?”

“Follow me.” The slaveholder led her to a plantation, where he offered her a glass of water. Isabella gulped it down.

“Thank you,” she said. “I’ll just be on my way.”

“Now, hold on,” he said. Isabella scowled to herself as she turned around to face him again. “What might a lovely lady like you be doing in these parts of Liviette?”

“I had a… meeting with one of my colleagues. And I was resting in the grass because I’ve barely slept in three days.” The slaveholder nodded, holding out a hand.

“Well it’s a great pleasure to meet you, dear, and if you need anything then I’m Maximilian Aten.” Isabella’s stomach jumped. His name was so similar... same initials, almost the same name... “Are you alright, dear?” She nodded. “Maybe some more water?”

“Yes, that would be great.” Maximilian went into the kitchen. Isabella held her face in her hands and inhaled deeply. It’s not him, Isa, she told herself. He’s dead.

“Here you are,” Maximilian said, holding a glass of water and a plate of warm bread.

“Thank you,” she said, drinking more water. Isabella hadn’t realized she was starving until she tasted the delicious, fresh bread.

“So... since you know who I am, may I ask your name?” Maximilian inquired.

“I’m I—“ she held her tongue. Maybe it was best if she used a fake identity. “I’m Alisa.” Isabella got the name from her neighbor, who had been her best friend. She wondered what Alisa’s Elm Valley power could be.

“Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Alisa, as I said before. This farm never gets any fair maidens like yourself.” Isabella’s eyes reddened from embarrassment and she looked away, preventing Maximilian from seeing her eyes. She had a boyfriend. How does she say that in a polite way? And anyway, Isabella was way too young for him. Maximilian looked at least thirty five.

“Um, thank you,” she said. “I really should be off. My boyfriend will be worried.” Maximilian’s smile wavered, but he fixed it, flashing a wide grin at her.

“You can finish our bread,” he said. “I’m sure that your boyfriend”—he said the word with disgust—“will be okay with you having an early breakfast.”

“I don’t think so. We’re in a lot of trouble with a lot of people, and he might think I’ve been kidnapped.”

“Why don’t you text him and tell him that you’re fine? Surely he’ll understand. After all, how can anyone be upset with someone as beautiful as you?” Isabella stood up from her chair.

“I’m sorry, Maximilian. I have to go. Hopefully I’ll see you again,” she said, hoping it would never happen. “Have a good day.” Isabella left the plantation, waiting until she was in the city to stop running. She phoned a taxi and stepped in.

“Maryn Street, please,” Isabella said to the driver. He started driving and Isabella rested her elbows on her knees, putting her head in her hands.

What just happened? Was she just hit on by a thirty-year-old? She shuddered. And had she tricked Liam into thinking her spirit had cursed him? Isabella smiled, thinking that he might leave them alone.

“That’ll be five sixty, ma’am,” the driver said. Isabella realized that she didn’t have any money. She checked the pockets of Leo’s jacket, counting out six liotts. She gave them to the driver.

“Thank you!” she said, stepping out of the car. He drove off, leaving Isabella alone in the street. She walked behind the buildings, trying to find the Oasis. She counted six houses down, and on the seventh, she found Leo’s window. She focused on the memory of their quest to find the thirteen letters and managed to fly to the second story, where she opened the window and climbed into the room, lying in a heap on the floor.

“Where were you?” Leo demanded. “Isa, I was so worried! Are you okay?”

“Yes,” she breathed. “I’m fine.” Physically, she wanted to add.

“Where were you?” he asked again.

“I found Liam’s third fortress.”