Ben and Lucy: The Sunken Kingdom

Lucy was the first to awake in the morning. She stretched as one does after a very long and restful sleep. Lucy then pulled back the sheets and noticed that the room was already slightly illuminated. The window in the room allowed the morning sun to sneak through the crack in the curtains. She looked over at her brother Ben and realized that he was still deep in sleep. Lucy then caught the scent of freshly baked bread. She made her way to the bedroom door and quietly opened it trying not to wake her brother. She made her way outside into the hall. Now the smell of the bread was even more intense. As she continued down the hall and back into the main living room she could hear Charnac moving about.

“Ah, you are awake. I hope I did not cause you to rise.” Charnac greeted Lucy with a full smile and a cheerful glint in his eye.

“Oh no Charnac. I slept very well. Thank you.” replied Lucy.

“So you must be wondering what this place is all about and even thinking of how to get home?” asked Charnac.

“Yes, this place is beautiful, but I miss my Mom and Dad.”

“They must miss you terribly. Such pleasant children are sometime hard to come by.”

“Ah, thank you Charnac. You too have been extremely polite and hospitable.”

“Lucy, you do not realize how important you and Ben are and what is expected of you. If you did you would not be surprised by your welcome. You would also know how dangerous it is now for you must try to keep a low profile.” Lucy quickly responded. “What do you mean, dangerous. How can this place be dangerous?”

“Oh my dear child when Ben awakens I will begin to explain this to you, but before then you must be hungry. I have prepared some things for you to try. Hopefully you will like them sufficiently. “

“It all smells so wonderful. I am sure everything will be great.”

“Ok, then please sit down at the table and I will bring out the meal.”

As Charnac proceeded to serve the young traveler, Lucy again experienced the many sensations of the house and the delicious meal. Pancakes, fruit, juice and melt in your mouth bread complete with spreads of all kinds of jellies and honeys. Lucy sat down at the large wooden table where the food was already laid out. The table was simple and felt as if it were as old as the hills.

Lucy began to make here plate and Charnac motioned for her to begin. Lucy was surprised by her appetite. Normally she liked her breakfast to be quick and very light. Today she could not eat the food fast enough. It all tasted so good. Charnac continued to prepare the food for Ben as he did this he began to hum a delightful song. Lucy noticed that the song reminded her of a Celtic rhythm.

“Charnac, what is that you are humming?”

“Oh, nothing dear just an old song from my youth.”

“How was the breakfast? Did you get enough to eat?”

“Oh yes, thank you.”

At this the two turned to face the hall, as Ben had just walked into the room.

“What’s for breakfast?” greeted Ben rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

“Oh my dear boy, you finally have arisen. I take it that you slept well?”

“Yes, like a log.”

“Great, please sit down. Your sister has already filled her tummy.” Charnac smiled back at Lucy. Lucy returned the favor.

Ben repeated the process that Lucy had earlier completed. Ben however added. “Is there no eggs?” At this Charnac frowned, “We do not eat our brethren here my dear boy.” Ben was taken aback, and quickly realized what he had said. “Oh, yes I am sorry. I did not think about how things are here.” Ben tried to make things good.

“One of the many things you will need to learn about this world my barbaric boy.” snapped Charnac.

The atmosphere remained heavy for a few moments. Then Charnac smiled and continued, “You will both need to learn many things before you are to travel. I will endeavor to teach you what I know, but I fear you will need to be quick. I have taken action to secure your bed’s security. Parmesis has had the bed removed and taken to a secure place that when you need it we will take you there but first there are things you must learn and a journey you must take.”

“What do you mean a journey Charnac? I want to go home.” asked Lucy.

“Not just yet, first I must explain this place and prepare you.”

Just then there was a knock at the door. Charnac quickly turned and whispered to the children to move out of the room. Ben and Lucy retreated to the hall, just enough to stay out of sight but also close enough to hear what might be said.

Charnac answered the door.

“Yes, yes. I am coming.”

“Quickly Charnac.” It was Parmesis.

Charnac quickly rushed Parmesis inside.

The two began to speak quietly to themselves. Ben and Lucy could not make out what was being said so they ventured out of the hall and back int the living room. Parmesis caught them in his eye. Suddenly he stopped talking and motioned to Charnac.

“Charnac we must get them out of here.”

“Yes, you are quite right my friend.”answered Charnac.

“Children, I am afraid your lessons will not come at this time. We must get you out of here.”

“What is happening Charnac?” questioned Ben.

“No time to go into details, but you must start your journey now.”

Charnac gather items into two backpacks, one for Ben and one for Lucy. Ben noticed that Charnac was not packing himself.

“You are not going Charnac?”

“Oh my dear boy, I cannot leave this place, but you must. Now hurry up. I packed some food for the journey and Parmesis will help guide you.” Charnac busily packed the remainder of the items and gave each pack to the children. Ben commented on the lightness of the packs. “Charnac these are very light, but I saw you stuff the packs.”

“Ben you still have not grasp the magic of this place. The packs only contain the items, they do not carry them. These are special packs that do not weigh you down.”

“So you mean they are anti-gravity packs?”

Charnac chuckled, “Yes, guess they are. Now hurry up.”

As soon as everything was packed Charnac hurried the kids to the door and led them down the path back to the clearing where their bed had sat after the night journey from their home. The bed was now gone.

“Where is our bed?” Ben asked quickly.

Charnac ignored his question and continued. “Now children here is a map that should help you along the way. It is a dangerous journey at times but you must get to Eloise. She will know what to do after that. Parmesis knows the way as well.”

“Oh Charnac, we will miss you.”declared Lucy. Ben looked at her with surprise. “We are not going until you tell us where our bed is. What is going on?” Ben said defiantly.

“We will meet again, I promise and you will get your answers there. There is no time to discuss things further. Now go.” Charnac was stern and both kids understood that the issue was closed. Just then there were load screeches from above and the tops of the trees swayed back and forth as if blown from a giant’s breath. The wind was cold and the sky was grey and cloudy.

“Come you two.” Shouted Parmesis from down the path. Charnac stopped at the gate and hugged each child. The wind continued and the sky above Charnac’s house was now black. As the children continued down the path the screeching continued behind them. Then suddenly there was a loud crash and a plume of smoke arose from Charnac’s house.

“Charnac!” Yelled Lucy.