Ben and Lucy: The Sunken Kingdom

“Where did those come from?” He said as he looked down upon the two kids.

“We told you not to worry. We always come prepared.” Ben smiled as he said this. Then looking quickly over to Lucy gave a little chuckled. The two sharing their little secret.

Max came charging up barking at Growler and the kids. Growler continued to look at the kids with concern but with Max interrupting he decided to leave it alone for now. He made sure he kept an eye on these two, something was up with these twin strangers.

“Hello Ben. Hello Lucy.” Max barked with only the kids understanding.

“Hey there Max! Good to see you.” responded Lucy. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Well since we are all ready and enjoying the time standing around let’s get a move on. Mattie is waiting over at the path to the valley below.” Growler pointed over to Matilde standing by the path waving back at the house. She was standing over a huge backpack at her feet. Ben assumed that was Growler’s.

“She went for a quick walk this morning. I told her to wait there for us to say goodbye.” Growler waved. Matilde waved back with a smile. Her long red hair falling about her shoulders. Suddenly a terrible sound came from the valley. First a crack of thunder followed by a rumbling sound. The sound grew louder as if growing in intensity. The ground began to shake violently, so much that everyone lost their balance. Ben saw Matilde disappear in a mist. He lost his balance and was soon thrown to the ground along with everyone else. Even Max had to cringe at the vibrations. Snow fell from the trees and the mist continued to fill the air, suddenly everything was thick in mist and snow. Nothing could be seen. A voice came through.

“Growler!”

Only one word through it all came forth, it was from Matilde. As quickly as it came, the vibrations stopped and everything was calm and silent. Once the shaking subsided, the mist began to clear. Ben shook the snow off his face. Turning he saw Lucy, then Growler and finally Max. The large dog was running to where Matilde had been.

Growler first became alarmed, then both Ben and Lucy knew why Growler was concerned. Where Mattie had earlier been standing there now was no one or thing left standing. It was as if the side of the mountain had given way and fell down into the valley. Growler ran to the newly formed cliff. He stopped and looked down. Fear covered his face. Ben and Lucy ran after him to the edge. All three now looked down into the valley, nothing could be seen in the valley. The mist was still thick as soup below.

Growler called. “Mattie!” He waited. Nothing in response.

Again. “Mattie! Where are you!” Yelled the giant down into the valley.

He paused, everyone stood silent. No sounds echoed back. The three stood there looking down into the abyss. Concerned on all their faces. Nothing moved. Max barked out and howled loudly. Ben and Lucy jumped. Max’s volume was as loud as a freight train’s horn. Still nothing in return. All stood silent for moments. The tension was in the air. No one wanted to say a word. Then the crack returned as before. Again the earth shook and this time the ground beneath them gave way. All four fell through the air. Down they went into the valley. They dropped. Fear grasped them all as they continued their drop. Thoughts flashed through their minds. Were they to crash upon a rocky bottom? Plunge into the icy river below? Ben and Lucy looked at each other and caught each other’s eyes. The twins communicated their love in just a blink. Then suddenly they hit. Black surrounded Ben. Silence. He could not move. He laid there wondering if he was alive or dead. Then sudden pressure on his arm. A force pulled him up out of the snow bank. He cleared his head of the snow. It had packed his ears. As he cleared the icy cold wetness, he began to hear again.

“There you are.” exclaimed Growler.

The huge man pulled Ben up out of the snow by his ankles. The wet snow dripping off his face. “Well, little one I see you are ok. Seems the snow comforted our fall. Everyone seems to have been ok. Let’s get moving and keep looking for Mattie.” Growler dropped Ben back down in the snow.

“Hey!” yelled Ben.

“Oh you big baby.” quickly added Lucy who was already cleanup and standing.

“We need to start looking for Matilde, she is still missing.” Lucy snapped.

“Over here!” Barked Max.

“Growler, I think Max has found something.” Lucy translated the barking.

“On my way, good job Max my boy!”

The massive dog barked back.

“There are tracks in the snow. Quick before the next wave of the snow blows the tracks away.” Growler commanded and motioned the twins to follow him. Ben and Lucy scrambled to keep up with Max and Growler. Max eventually allowed the kids to climb onto his back. Then the group made better progress following the tracks.

“Over here, I think she made it to this cave.” yelled Growler.

As Max and the kids bounded up the slope they suddenly saw the happy couple embracing. Matilde was ok and Growler was unashamed to show his emotions this time.

“Hey Mattie!” Lucy’s joy beaming through her voice.

“Lucy and Ben! Everyone is here. Thank goodness. Even if I am a little hurt.” Matilde replied back to Lucy.

Growler was now looking after his wife’s leg and ankle. Apparently during the fall Matilde had injured her leg. Matilde knowing the wildlife of the area made her way to shelter. Growler was now wrapping up her ankle and looking concerned.

“How is she?” Ben asked Growler.

“She looks like she might have broken something. Not completely sure but she cannot walk far. We will have to carry her.”

“We will move too slow with me. You will have to leave me and go get help.” commented Matilde.

“No, we will not leave you here.”

“Dear, I am a big girl and can take care of myself.”

“Mattie, you are hurt and will be easy prey. No I will not leave you here.” Growler was not going to leave her and his determined look stopped the discussion.

“Growler, can’t we make something to pull her?” asked Lucy.

“From what! We don’t have supplies for that!” replied Growler.

“Growler! Remain calm, she is only trying to help.” Mattie spoke up.

“Yes dear. I am sorry that I yelled at you. We don’t have any supplies to build anything.” Growler apologized.

“What do you need?” asked Ben.

“Ha ha. Plenty. A good sled would be a start.” Growler said sarcastically.

“Let me see what I can find in my bag.”

“In your bag? Ha Ha Ha. That thing is so little. Anything in there would be for a doll.”

“Just wait and see big man.” quipped Ben. Lucy did not stop Ben this time. Their secret would be out but Mattie needed this more.

As Growler looked on with contempt, Ben slowly reached into his backpack. He suddenly felt a handle inside. He began to tug on the object but it was too heavy.

“Um, I am going to need a little help.”

“Sure, this should be good.” Growler stepped toward the young man. As Growler reached in he too felt the handle and as he began to pull on the object his eyes widened. The object was heavy and seemed to grow as he pulled. Soon the object began to appear out of the backpack. First the handle, then rudders appeared, then the back of a sled. All eyes were now focused on the backpack and the magical sight of a sled being drawn out.

“Oh my!” exclaimed Mattie.

“What magic do you two posses?” questioned Growler.

“Two little witches?” Growler stepped back. He did not rust the two nor the magic he was seeing.

“Oh no Growler. We were given these backpacks when we left Charnac’s house.

“Charnac? Mmm there is more to this trek than meets the eye I presume.” Growler said with mistrust in his eyes.

“Dear, they are only kids.”

“Yes, but with magic who knows what they can do.” Growler looked at both with clinched teeth. His gaze fell upon Lucy. Their eyes met and the love streamed forth through hers. Lucy was scared as well. She desperately need to go home and this giant was her only choice. She did not want to be left in the cold valley. Her compassion and plea was immediately felt by the hulking giant. His grimace subsided.

“Alright, I guess. But I want some answers.” Growler barked.

“We do too.” Ben snapped.

“We will all get answer when we get to Eloise.” Mattie tried to calm them all. Growler agreed to use the sled and reluctantly looked it over. It was large enough to hold Mattie and the twins as well as provide a place for Growler to control it. The wood was carved elegantly and figures of wolves and deers lined the outside. The stanchions were thick and also carved, but with giant snakes wrapping up from the bed slates. The slates were lined with white fur. Lucy reached and felt them.

“Oh, these are so soft.” She smiled at Growler

“Yes, just the luxury for my queen.” He gave a quick glance to Mattie.

“This all fine and dandy but how are we to move this thing?” Growler snapped.

“What do you need?”

“Now all we need is a team to pull it.” Growler reached into the bag quickly. This time his hand was burned by the bag.

“Ouch! The bag burned me.”

“Must be the protection Charnac told us. It seems the packs only work for its owners. That would be us. Let me try.” Ben reached back in, but nothing was to be found.

“Mmm, seems we have to make do with what we have. The backpacks only give you what you need. Sometimes you have to figure out how to use the object.” Lucy added.

Max barked.

“I can pull her, see if there is a harness.” Ben and Lucy understood the dog.

“How about a harness for Max?” Ben asked out loud, translating what Max had said. As he reached back into his back he felt the leather of the harness.

“My goodness. You seem to understand Max.” exclaimed Matilde.

“Oh, lucky guess.” Ben exchanged a smile and a glance with Max. Max seemed to have winked back.

“Oh the beast is strong, but I doubt he can pull this thing.” Growler was still fussing about.

“Let’s give it a try. Might be lighter than you think.” Lucy was smiling as she tried to get Growler to continue.

“Yes, let’s try or do you think I have gained too much weight?” Mattie put Growler on the spot with a little teasing.

“Alright. Max come here.” Growler commanded the dog.

Soon Growler had Max harnessed and Matilde was comfortably sitting in the sled. As Growler, Ben and Max were getting Mattie loaded Lucy was pulling skis out of her backpack. She did to want to burden Max further down if she could help it. Lucy also knew that Ben and her could not keep up with Growler and the sled by themselves.

“Look what I have.” Lucy showing off the skis.

“Hurray. This should be fun now.” yelled Ben. He reached in his backpack and found a set for himself as well. Everyone now got themselves prepared for the journey down the rest of the mountain.

“Ben and Lucy, you must remain carefully and constantly on guard. There are many creatures in the woods that are quick and looking for prey. Please stay close by.” Growler explained.

“Yes, we also have these in case something happens.” Ben was now showing off two swords with holsters that he recently pulled out of the bag.

“Too bad the packs did not have guns.” added Ben.

“Whatever those are, I am sure they are not as powerful as those swords. Otherwise the packs would have given those to you.” replied Growler.

“Yes, Ben. Maybe the swords have other powers as well. In this place we never know what will happen” added Lucy.

“I think we will. One way or another” Ben concluded. The conversation died off and the group slowly made their way away from the cave and back into the clearing.

“Ok, remember to stay close and always keep together you two.”

“We will Growler, we will” both kids yelled back.