Elenthe

By Michele Meyer

Elenthe is a fantasy about an alternate world. Just as bubbles can be joined with a common membrane, this alternate world has entry points with earth. Access is very limited and there are special people in Elenthe who protect these portals. Through unforeseen circumstances, a young college graduate finds himself in this land and becomes involved in political intrigue and a battle to save the people from a corrupt king. In Elenthe he meets people and creatures who are not whom they seem, and discovers some answers to his own past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 8, 2010
• ISBN: 9781456815134

Michele Meyer

Michele Meyer lives in Virginia and has happily raised five children. Now she has free time to pursue additional interests. She loves to read fantasy and mystery novels. Elenthe was written as a personal challenge, as a favorite story that she could read again and again, that includes everything that she enjoys in a tale. She enjoys it so much that she decided to share it with others.

Book preview

Copyright © 2010 by Michele Meyer.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2010916811

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4568-1512-7

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4568-1511-0

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4568-1513-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

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Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

CHAPTER FORTY

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

CHAPTER ONE

Mark looked out the fourth-story window of his student apartment at the nearby vista of stately pale-gray stone buildings awash in the green environs of majestic oak and elm trees. This place that had been his collegiate home for four years was soon to be but a fond memory. Here he had grown from a clumsy teenager to a determined man. Here he had felt fulfillment as he studied the things he desired, and succeeded in his pursuits. He had majored in English literature, especially those writings which were considered ancient. And along the way he had found an unexpected new love through the photography classes he had also enjoyed. He was just days away from his graduation, the marker that would say to the world done. He ran his hands slowly through his short dark wavy hair, scratched his neck, and then quietly sighed. He would see Alice soon, as she was coming from Vermont to be here for the ceremony. Mark mused at how bittersweet her pride and joy was, since it was scarcely a year since Jonah had died. Alice and Jonah were his adoptive parents, and better parents could not be found anywhere. They were quite a bit older than the parents of his peers . . . maybe that’s why they seemed different, somehow wiser. Mark always thought that they had left their stamp on him, that their age was the reason why he himself was different than his own friends. Yes, he had many friends. But they viewed life very differently than he did. They were content to live for the present, while he was always striving for the future. It was as though he was always looking for something just around the corner. Now that he was finished with college he was excited because he could finally go into the world and search his destiny. And Alice understood. She always did.

Three days later, wearing a shiny black tasseled cap and flowing gown, Mark walked the last official steps to receive his diploma. With those steps his beloved college became his alma mater. The first chapter of his life had ended and he was embarking on a new one. With his classmates he threw his cap high into the air and yelled. He drank in the euphoria and shared the excitement and celebration of the crowd.

Later that evening, Mark and Alice went to dinner for a quiet celebration. The student parties were in full swing, and Mark had said many of his own farewells. Now it would be just Alice and the graduate. They chose a little Greek restaurant well away from the bustle of the college campus. It was one of their favorite dinner spots and radiated authentic Mediterranean charm. The owner, Petros, greeted them at the door and led them to a small table in the back of the room. He knew Marcus and always gave him something extra . . . some fried calamari, or a special sweet house dessert. He would miss this serious young man with the sparkling eyes who obviously loved the old woman he often brought with him. They ordered and then sat back to contemplate their last meal there. As they waited for their dinner of lemon roasted lamb and herbed vegetables, they nibbled on crusty bread that they dipped into a tart cucumber-yogurt sauce.

How are your plans for the fall coming? Alice asked. Are you still planning to travel through the British Isles for a year before accepting the job offer at Prentice?

Her look was inquisitive yet patient, and Mark felt no rush to respond.

Thoughtfully he looked at his icy water glass and considered. Now that the time was here it was hard to believe. His dreams of travel and extensive research were about to be realized. There was no rush to settle into a job. He had had a full scholarship for four years and so had no loans to repay. And Jonah left him a large sum of money in his will. In fact, Mark hadn’t known that Jonah and Alice were so wealthy. That had been a huge surprise.

I have reservations to fly from New York to London on October 6. I turned down the job with Prentice. When I return from Europe, I might contact them again, but I don’t know. I kind of doubt it. I didn’t want to leave them hanging, and I didn’t want a scheduled return. This way I’ll be free to take whatever comes next.

Mark leaned forward and patted Alice’s hand. Then he rearranged his napkin on his lap.

But until then, I plan to spend the whole summer at home with you. I’ve missed our long conversations and walks in the woods. I also miss Jonah a lot. I’ve been so busy with my studies and other activities that I haven’t really been able to grieve him as I wish to. I need to retrace my memories with him. I thought I would also focus energy on my camera work and further hone my skills so that I’m better prepared for recording my upcoming wandering adventures.

He studied Alice. Her dark eyes were misty and she swallowed her bite of bread slowly, then stirred another piece slowly in the creamy white sauce. Finally, she responded.

Mark, dear boy, I know you will think I’m just a sentimental old woman, but I want to tell you that you have been such a blessing to our lives. I am so proud of who you are and all you have accomplished. Most of all, I’m proud of the young man you have become. This summer with you home will be the happiest of my life. And I am also excited about your future plans. There is a big world out there just waiting to show you its marvels . . . and its secrets! This is the perfect time in your life to do it. Now to the practicalities, when are you driving home?

Well, it will take a couple more days to pack up, clean out, and say my good-byes. I’ll leave early Sunday and hopefully be home in time for supper.

Sundays were Alice’s favorite days because she would go to the small country church in town in the morning and visit with her dearest friends afterwards. She and Jonah were very religious and they had worked hard to raise him to have strong moral values and a profound belief in God himself.

Do you mind if I invite Mage and Henry to dinner that night? she asked. They can’t wait to have you home, and you know how they have always adored you. I’ll plan a beef roast so if you are delayed it won’t matter.

No, of course I don’t mind, Alice. I would love to see them as well. You couldn’t have better friends or neighbors. I was so thankful they were there when Jonah died, and that they have taken such good care of you. It made a very difficult time for me a bit easier.

Mark smiled and took Alice’s hand. Her salt and pepper hair was pulled back in her habitual low bun, but she was looking thin and wan, which was a change from the last time he had seen her. Of course, grief will have an effect. Alice and Jonah had been devoted to each other for many years. Mark used to tease them that theirs was a love story waiting to be written. Jonah’s death took a heavy toll on her. Mark told himself that this summer would be a time to make her laugh and to ensure that she ate healthy meals.

CHAPTER TWO

Three days later, early on a warm May morning, Mark loaded up his old midsized American car and began the five hundred plus mile drive home to Vermont. He actually enjoyed long drives as he had a chance to think and ponder. His friends made fun of his desire for occasional solitude to think. It was a busy modern world, and he needed to step off and regroup. Sometimes he would reflect on his life, and wonder what his life would have been if he had not been adopted. He never really wanted to know his birth parents, but he was curious. Where would he have lived and who would he be if fate had been different? He believed that God had some special plan for him, and that gave him a peace about his adoption. Somehow he knew it wasn’t accidental. He also envisioned his future. There were so many exciting places calling to him. Not just to visit, but to spend time there and really get to know. He wanted to build more depth in his life. After so many years as a student, he was finally be free to do whatever he wanted. The hours as he drove passed quickly. He made stops only for gas and a quick take-out lunch. He wanted to be very hungry for dinner because Alice was a fantastic cook.

That afternoon, at a little past seven, Mark pulled into the driveway of the cheery white-sided house that he had grown up in. It was a very comfortable house, in a quaint secluded neighborhood. The people here were all good friends and rarely moved away. They were mostly older now, with grown children like him. He got out of the car and stretched. He reached back in to grab his backpack of small essentials. He could unload the rest of his luggage and books later. Surprisingly, Alice wasn’t rushing out the door. That was unusual, but maybe she was busy stirring something and hadn’t heard him drive up. Or she was caught up in conversation with Mage. He put his backpack down and trotted up the stone steps to the front door. He turned the knob but found the door was locked. He knocked loudly and then peeked in through the narrow side window. There were no lights on. There were no footsteps. No one seemed to be home. A bit confused, he took the key from behind the wooden flower box and unlocked the door. He rushed in and immediately headed for the kitchen. It was in disarray, as though Alice had started her meal and left it suddenly. He checked the other rooms, calling out as he raced about. The house was empty. Finally, he saw the note. It was on the little three-legged wooden table next to the door, and he had missed seeing it in his excitement. He picked it up to read. The writing was sloppy, as though it was written in a rush.

Mark,

Alice became ill suddenly and we had to rush her to the hospital.

We didn’t know how to reach you on the road. Please come to the hospital as soon as possible.

Mage

Mark felt faint. Not Alice. Not now. He grabbed his car keys, locked the front door and ran to his car. He threw the backpack into the car and backed quickly down the driveway. Thankfully, the drive to the hospital was only fifteen minutes and yet it felt like a lifetime. He parked in the visitor’s lot and raced through the double doors into the lobby. On the right was the receiving area. He hurried over to it and addressed the older woman with a hospital nametag who was sitting on the far side of a high counter.

My mother, Alice Donavan, was brought in some time today. Can you tell me where she is?

The nurse receptionist looked at Mark with sympathy and referred to her admitting chart.

Let’s see, Mrs. Donavan was admitted at 3:00 P.M. and is in Wing E. That’s the Cardiac Critical Care Department. She’s your mother? Let me ring Dr. Lawrence. He’s the admitting physician in charge of her care, and he can tell you everything you need to know. Please, Mr. Donavan, take a seat. It’ll just be a minute. There’s some fresh coffee on the table by the window.

With those words, she turned to her telephone and paged Dr. Lawrence. Mark stumbled to the nearby chairs and sank into the closest one. He put his head down and started praying. He needed Alice. He wanted her to be all right. Please God, let her be all right. Then he heard the rushing of feet down the corridor. He looked up. It was Henry. Mark stood and Henry went to him and hugged him. Then he said,

Mage is with Alice. The hospital staff said only family was allowed in the room but we insisted that we were family!

Henry, what happened? stammered Mark.

Henry gripped Mark’s arm firmly. I’m so sorry. Alice had a heart attack about 2:30 this afternoon. Fortunately she felt it coming and called us. We immediately called 911 and went to your house. Mage rode in the ambulance with her to the hospital and I followed in our car. Since then, we’ve just been waiting. I want to prepare you, though, Mark, it looks bad.

Excuse me, are you Alice Donavan’s son?

Mark turned from Henry to see a kindly face in a pale green tunic. He was holding a clipboard and had a cloth facemask dangling from around his neck.

Yes sir, my name is Mark Donavan.

I’m Dr. Lawrence, Mr. Donavan. I admitted your mother and I’m in charge of her treatment. Let’s go into this room and talk.

The doctor led Mark and Henry into a nearby comfortable office, had them sit down, and then closed the door. He sat down next to Mark.

Mr. Donavan, are you aware that your mother has been seriously ill for the past few months? I’ve consulted with her family doctor and she has been seeing him for a fluttery sensation in her chest. He prescribed medicine to ease the palpation and referred her to cardiac specialists for tests and further diagnosis. They all told Alice that her heart was failing. There was no permanent treatment possible except risky major surgery, and Alice refused to undergo that. In other words, Mark, she knew she was a very sick woman living on borrowed time. She has been preparing her affairs, and enjoying the last of her life.

Mark straightened and asked in a strained voice, Doctor Lawrence, are you saying that my mother is dying? That nothing more can be done for her?

Dr. Lawrence shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Yes, your mother will be lucky to live another 24 hours. Her heart has literally stopped functioning. It is on its last gasp. All we can do for her now is to keep her comfortable. Actually, I think your mother is still alive at this moment only because of her strength of will. She wants to say good bye to you.

With those words the doctor stood up, touched Mark gently on the shoulder and opened the door.

Let’s go see your mother now. She’s lightly sedated so she’s not in any pain. She might seem a little confused but that’s because of the medication. We have tried to keep her as aware as possible as those were her wishes.

Mark and Henry followed Dr. Lawrence out the door and down the long white corridor to the elevator. They rode silently up to the fourth floor. From there it was just a short walk to room 412. Dr. Lawrence went in first.

"Well, Mrs. Donavan, you were right. Your son is a mighty fine young man