Gabriel Stone and the Divinity of Valta (23 page)

“I think I’ll stay away from the Valtan pie,” Piper whispered, elbowing Brent.

Brent stuck a finger in his mouth, mock-gagging. “Yeah, I’ll second that decision,” he said, laughing.

Empress Malina raised her hands into the air as she stood from her chair, motioning for silence.

“We have much to be thankful for, citizens of Valta. The courage of strangers, these amazing children, who helped restore order to our world.” Empress Malina placed her hand against her heart. “Although it saddens me to watch them go, I promised to assist them with their journey back home. It is time we returned them to their land, with our gratitude, and deep respect.” She nodded and smiled. “The seekers are waiting outside for us.”

Gabriel, Brent, and Piper looked at each other and grinned.

Empress Malina continued. “Unfortunately, the loss of the Divinities has left many of my seekers ill, or dead. Thankfully, the ones who survived are here to transport us back to the portal, so you may return home.”

Gabriel slipped his hand into his mother’s. “Home, Mom—did you hear that?”

It sounded too good to be true. But a twinge of sadness still ran through Gabriel as he looked around the room. Even though he was excited to be going home, he’d miss the friends he’d made in Valta.

Eric and Flossie approached them first. “You are all incredible children,” Flossie said, giving each of them a big hug, and using the opportunity to tuck a wrapped, freshly-baked cookie into their pockets.

“Incredible
and
magnificent,” Eric added. “You’ll always have a home in Ericville.” His offer carried a hint of sadness.

“Thanks, Eric,” Gabriel said. “We’ll keep that in mind.” He looked at his mother with a grin. “Just wait till Dad sees you.”

“I have a present for you, Piper.” Flossie handed her Tratta. “She really has taken a liking to you, and ole Eric here has been allergic to her for years.”

“
Hola
. Tratta would like to come with Piper. Meow meowww,” said the cat.

“Really?” Piper beamed. “I’d love to bring her home!” She cradled the tabby in her arms. “
Hola, mi gato
. That means, ‘hello, my cat,’” she told Tratta. “I’ll teach you Spanish, after all.”

Gabriel thanked Leejor for all he’d done for them. He tentatively waved goodbye to Sherpa, who had been sitting off in a corner by himself, eating. It was a miracle he’d agreed to come to the party at all. The giant grunted and nodded in their direction, gnawing on a bone.

“Me next. Finley next.” Finley squeezed through the crowd to hug them all. “Me no want you go, but Finley know you want be with own tribe.” He wrapped his tail around Gabriel’s leg and gazed up at him with big, brown eyes.

“Yes, Finley. We miss our tribe. We’ll miss you, too.” Gabriel kneeled and pulled Finley into a hug.

One by one, the inhabitants of Valta thanked the children and said goodbye, until it was time to leave. Gabriel, Piper, and Brent left the grand castle and hurried into the sunny afternoon.

With the Divinity restored, Gabriel realized what a beautiful place Valta really was. The sun danced against the stained glass windows of the castle, birds chirped, and colorful flowers bloomed all around them.

Empress Malina, Andimian, Prince Oliver, and Princess Evangeline walked them out.

“Before you leave, there is something I’d like to give you,” said the empress. She reached over and gathered some things that Princess Evangeline held in her hand. As the empress removed them, they clanged together, but Gabriel couldn’t make out what they were. Andimian stuck his enormous nose among the trinkets, looking curious about all the commotion. Empress Malina petted him briefly, then signaled for him to sit beside her.

“As a gift from my family, I present to you Medals of Honor, made from the finest materials in Valta by great artisans.” She held up one of the necklaces. Piper gasped. A titanium emblem dangled from the end of a long chain. The edge of the emblem was large and circular. Inside, attached to the outer circle, was the letter V. Inside the V was the face of a tiger with vivid aquamarine gemstones for eyes.

Gabriel laughed. “Hey, it looks like the stones in the tiger’s eyes are the same as my birthstone for March!”

Gabriel’s mom shuffled his hair. “Keen eye, Gabe. I think you’re right.” Empress Malina placed the chain around Brent’s neck.

“That’s really cool, thanks,” Brent said. “Looks just like Andimian.”

She pinched Brent’s cheek. “It is indeed Andimian—mighty protector of the throne.”

Andimian expelled a proud roar.

Princess Evangeline grinned. “It’ll not be as good as your fire power, I suspect. But it is at least something to remember us by.”

“You mean I won’t be able to randomly start fires with my hands anymore? It woulda been great for our next campfire,” Brent joked.

“The letter V stands for Valta, right?” Piper asked as she received hers.

“But of course, precious,” Empress Malina answered.

“Duh?” teased Brent.

Piper blushed and gave Brent a shove. “Well, it totally could’ve stood for victory.”

After the empress finished giving Piper her gift, she approached Gabriel. As she placed the emblem around his neck, she stopped and looked into his eyes.

“
Your
medal, while it appears exactly the same as the others, is a little special.”

“How?” Gabriel lifted the emblem for a closer look.

“I know your quest here is complete,” she began. “However, I could not bear it if I didn’t have
some
way to speak to you.” She smiled. “Your medal allows you to contact me. Though I caution you, it can be used only once.”

“How does it work?” Gabriel asked, amazed and curious.

“You will know, if the time is right,” Empress Malina answered. “Now it is time to go back to your world.”

Gabriel met his mother’s gaze. He recognized the pride in her eyes. She reached out her hand, and Gabriel took it, grinning.

“Let’s go, bud,” she said. “You guys, too!” Piper and Brent followed, admiring their medals.

The empress shifted her gaze to the seekers. Without a word, they surrounded the group. “Don’t be frightened,” she said, as the seekers fiddled with the devices on their arms.

“I like this part.” Princess Evangeline giggled.

“You would,” replied Prince Oliver.

Chapter Twenty-Six

A blast of cool air rushed past Gabriel’s cheeks, and in an instant, they all stood beside the falls where they’d entered Valta.

“We can actually get through again?” he asked.

The empress smiled. “Yes, dear one.”

“But Empress … ” Piper trailed off, looking nervous. “Umm, do we
really
have to be sucked under the water again?”

“That
was
awfully creepy,” Brent said.

The empress laughed. “I’m sorry that happened. As you know, things weren’t in order when you arrived.” She walked a few feet along the side of the waterfall, and pointed at something behind it. Suspended in the air floated a long bridge, made of the water itself. Piper looked so surprised, she rocked back on her feet, and then reached out, grasping Gabriel’s arm to steady herself.

“Is that really a bridge?” Gabriel asked, his voice wavering.

“Yes, precious. It will take you through a portal, back to Willow Creek.”

Brent poked the watery bridge. “Dude. This is amazing.”

The empress smiled. “It is safe, darling. And dry. All the same, time is running out to get you home. Even I possess only so much control when it comes to these matters.”

Gabriel’s mom ushered them to the bridge, and hesitantly placed her foot on it. “Let’s go, kids.”

Brent clutched Zigzag by her collar, while Piper picked up her new cat. Tratta licked her paws, mumbling about what kinds of food she might get in her new life.

Piper slid the birthstone ring from her finger, carefully holding Tratta in the crook of her arm. “Sorry I’m gonna miss your birthday party, Evangeline.” She placed the ring in the princess’s hand. “Here. Happy birthday. I know amethyst isn’t your birthstone, but it’s pretty, don’t you think?”

“It’s beautiful,” Evangeline said with a big grin. “Thank you so much. I will cherish it forever.” Evangeline admired it, before sliding it on her finger. She gave Piper one last hug. Then they all shook Prince Oliver’s hand.

Gabriel let the others go first, as the bittersweet feeling of the moment hit him. The sun shone, and the trees glimmered in their many, beautiful colors. In the distance, the brilliant gold powder blanketed the mountain, making the peak glisten and sparkle in the sunlight. Gabriel inhaled a deep breath. He didn’t think there was a more beautiful place in the whole world than Valta.

His mother called for them to hurry. She reached the end of the watery bridge, and stood in front of an open, circular space in the middle of the flowing water, through which they saw the hills and forest of Willow Creek.

“I never thought I’d make it home again.” Her voice caught. She ushered Piper and Brent to go on ahead, rubbing at her eyes.

Piper hugged Tratta as she crossed through the portal. “Welcome home, kitty cat.”

Zigzag resisted, tugging after Gabriel, but Brent managed to pull her through.

As Gabriel looked through the portal, something important jogged in his memory. He turned and ran back to the royal family, calling over his shoulder. “I forgot, there’s something really important I need to tell the empress!”

“Gabriel,” his mom called, sounding panicked. She pointed to the shrinking portal. “The portal is closing. Hurry!”

Gabriel reached the edge of the bridge again, and called out, “Empress Malina, wait!”

The empress, Prince Oliver, and Princess Evangeline turned back to face him.

“Gabriel, what is it?” The empress asked.

“I just remembered something. Dane—er, Councilor Dane, he said there’s another portal, one you don’t know about. A-a rift, he said, a rift in your world that leads to ours.”

Empress Malina knitted her brows, but Gabriel’s mom shouted at him, pulling his attention back. The portal was shrinking fast. He sprinted back to the waterfall.

With just enough room left to fit, he jumped through, holding his mother’s hand. She tumbled beside him onto the snow. The portal’s edges came together until it vanished, leaving only the flowing waterfall.

Gabriel sat up. He could hardly believe they were home again. He hugged his mom, dashed over to his friends, gave Brent a fist bump, then high-fived Piper. “Epic! We’re actually home in one piece!” Gabriel said with a laugh.

Piper dropped to her knees and kissed a patch of grass sprouting up from beneath some snow.

“And although the portal is officially closed, all earthlings should back
away
from the waterfall,” Brent said, tip-toeing backward and laughing.

“Why did you run back, Gabriel?” his mother asked, sounding a little annoyed. “You really scared me.”

“I had to tell the empress about another portal. I wouldn’t want Lamia showing up
here
.” Gabriel grimaced.

“Hey look, guys,” Brent said pointing to the river at the base of the falls. “The ice is completely melted.”

“And hey,” said Piper. “It’s kinda warmer than when we left, right?”

Gabriel nodded. “I wonder how long we’ve been gone … ”

“We should really come up with a story we can stick to, kids,” Gabriel’s mom broke in. “We can’t say we got lost in another world where we had to fight for our lives with death-mongers and gruocks, and were saved by flying tigers, a giant, and a moose man.”

Gabriel laughed. “And Eric and Finley! Yeah, that’d probably not go over too well.”

“No kidding,” Brent said. “I can just see it now.” He spread his arms wide and shifted his eyes from left to right, as if reading a newspaper. “Crazy Kids’ Claims of Talking Monkeys and Virus-Infected Monsters Leads to Extended Stay in Mental Hospital.” He paused, laughing. “Hey, that might not be so bad, if we get to skip school for a while.” They all laughed, then Piper tapped her chin, squinting. “Seriously, though. We should just say we got lost in the woods and couldn’t find our way home, right?”

“Right,” Gabriel’s mom said with a nod. “And I’ll have to say I fell and hit my head and lost my memory for a while. Those things can happen. It’ll have to work.” She scrunched her shoulders to her ears. “I’ll say I was taken in by a recluse couple living deep in the woods, who would never want to be revealed. I hate to lie, but it’s safer than the truth. I’ll say that while out walking one day, I saw you guys, and that’s when it all came back to me. Of course, they’ll want to run some tests, and I’ll play a little foggy-brained for a while, but eventually, things will return to normal.”

Normal.
Gabriel wondered if that was possible, after all they’d been through.

Brent rubbed his hands together, just to be sure he didn’t have fire power anymore. “That sucks.” He laughed.

Piper placed Tratta down and told her to stay close. “Hey Tratta, can you still talk?”

“Meow.”

“I’ll give you a delicious bowl of warm milk when we go home,” Piper coaxed.

“Meow, meow.” Tratta twirled around Piper’s legs and purred.

She sighed. “Guess not.”

“It’s just as well, Piper,” Gabriel’s mom said. “It would be kind of hard to explain a talking cat.”

They were all back to normal—average human kids. Except now, they had necklaces from the empress tucked under their shirts. Gabriel looked at his, just to remind himself it hadn’t all been a dream.

As they walked back through the woods toward home, they agreed they’d go to Gabriel’s house together. From there, they would each call their parents. They rehearsed their story, and tried to think of any questions someone might ask. Zigzag and Tratta ran on ahead, as if they’d been friends forever.

Finally, they neared Gabriel’s house.

Piper tugged on Brent’s arm. “You and your mom go on ahead, Gabe.”

Brent nodded to Gabriel. “Just, seriously, hurry up, bro … you know, I’m starving over here.”

Piper knocked her hip against Brent’s. “Breeent,” she scolded. “Give him a second, will ya?”

Gabriel chuckled. “I’ll be right back.”

Walking up the front steps of 27 First Street on that sunny—what looked to be spring—day, was a moment Gabriel would never, ever forget. He paused with his hand on the doorknob, and looked up into his mom’s eyes.