Grandfather finished his tale, but I hardly even noticed. I was staring into the fire that crackled soothingly in the fireplace beside me, lost in my own thoughts. Something had occurred to me while Grandfather was talking. He had said that one hundred years ago today, the Queen had been given the amulet. He had never said that before, obviously, but it felt like there was now some significance to the story that hadn’t been there before.
“Taiowynn,” he said touching my cheek with the softest of pressure, “there’s something I would like to give you.” He reached to the floor beside him where a small wooden box had been placed. As he gave it to me, my heart started pounding.
The box was beautiful. It had designs carved into all of its sides. I let my fingers trace over the grains of the deeply inlaid box.
“Open it.” Grandfather prompted; his eyes glancing toward the door every few seconds.
As I slowly lifted the lid, I suddenly knew what I would find inside. The silver amulet with four engravings and five stones lay on a pillow of midnight blue velvet.
My breath had still not been released when pounding erupted on the door. I was frozen to the floor as Grandfather got up quickly and moved toward the sound. I was waiting to hear Maddy start barking and run to the door but only silence filled the room. Four hooded strangers stood on our doorstep illuminated by the moon overhead.
“Is she ready to go?” They asked as Grandfather bade them enter.
He glanced toward me and then turned back to the strangers. “She has the amulet and she knows the story behind it. I’ve done what was asked of me; I’ll leave her in your hands.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. What did Grandfather mean about me being in the ‘hands’ of these strangers? And where had he gotten the amulet from?
“Taiowynn,” the first hooded man approached me where I still sat on the floor, “you need to come with us.”
I just shook my head, unable to speak.
He sighed, urgency even in that small sound. He knelt down so that our eyes were level. I couldn’t really see his face well because of his hood and the limited light in the room, but his eyes seemed to glow slightly, even in the darkness. They were the colour of the cloudless sky; bright blue, clear, and pure.
“We don’t have the time to explain everything to you now, but you are in danger. Taiowynn, you’re going to have to trust us. Gwenellynn is in trouble and needs your help.”
“Why me?” My lips barely moved.
Grandfather came over and put his arms around me. As he slowly lifted me up, he explained. “Tai, some people believe that the story I told you isn’t true, but it is. Those creatures are real and they will be coming after you.”
Silent horror mixed into the already scared expression on my face.
“The fascination you have for this story is there for a reason, Tai,” Grandfather continued, “you were meant to finish the story.”
His voice seemed to hang in the air.
I didn’t know what to even think. How could all this be happening to me? Why now? It didn’t even make any sense.
“How can I be the one Gwenellynn needs; there’s nothing special about me.” I said, trying to make sense of what was being said.
“We will explain everything to you at a later time, I promise, but please, just come with us now.” The hooded figure in front of me said as he reached out and touched my hand.
“No,” I said, jerking my hand away, “I can’t, I can’t leave my home.” It sounded childish, I know, but how could I be of any help?
The stranger in front of me gave me a look of regret. “I had really hoped that it wouldn’t have to come to this Taiowynn. I apologise in advance.” He pulled a vial out from beneath his cloak and soaked a clean cloth with its essence.
Grandfather’s arms tightened around me.
“Grandfather…” I said, panic sweeping over me. His grip on me only tightened.
“I’m sorry Tai, but you must go with them.” He whispered softly into my ear.
“No, please…don’t do this…” I pleaded, trying to squirm away. The stranger leaned toward me, bringing the cloth close to my face. “Maddy!” I called in desperation but Maddy just whined and covered her muzzle with her paws.
I started to feel dizzy as soon as the smell hit me. I could feel a hand holding the back of my neck and the soft, moist cloth being pressed against my mouth and nose. There was no escaping the sickly sweet smell of whatever had been poured into the cloth.
Slowly, my body grew numb, my eyes drooped, and my consciousness slipped away