Chapter 14

I was a little confused. If he isn’t sending anyone with me, how will I not be alone? Then it hit me, my mate. Maybe he saw my mate. I put the thought aside and finished my breakfast.

When everyone was done eating, we made the announcement. People started to panic. They were worried that without me getting married, I would not want to be king and magik would start to fade away. The king told them I had to go on a special quest and would marry when I returned.

“I will be back one day soon, I hope and will bring back your queen. But I must first find the answers that can save us. To do that I need to go to the east. I will be leaving at first light tomorrow.” With that, I went home to help pack for my journey.

The king’s staff and my parents’ servants helped with getting everything I would need or at least what we all thought I would need. Then with my father’s and the king’s help, we mapped out my journey. I wasn’t totally sure how far I was going to have to go but in my last vision I saw a “Welcome to Michigan” sign, so we mapped my route to Michigan.

That night before I went to bed, I kissed my mother and said my goodbyes to my father. I would be leaving just before the sun rose, before they would be up.

My first stop was in Cheefri (chee-free), a fae city located in Las Vegas. So far the trip was going great. I stopped at my uncle’s, my dad’s brother, house and spent some time with him.

“I hear you are out to save the world.” Uncle Prelit (pray-lit) said.

“Well, I’m going to at least try to save it.”

“Then while I have you here, I will teach you a few things.”

After lunch, Uncle Prelit taught me some basic self-defense and first aid. I think when I become king I am going to make this a requirement for all fae and also add advanced combat training, if I survive this journey. I resupplied with food and water and spent the night at my Uncle's place.

In the morning, my uncle wished me luck and handed me breakfast to go. I took it, and headed out. Next stop, Dorlay (door-lay), a fae city in Richfield, Utah. From there I went to Besby (bes-be), a fae city in Denver, Colorado. Then I stopped and visited with my grandparents in Greaqual (grey-cual), a fae city in Omaha, Nebraska.

“Phoenix, we heard you were headed this way. How are you, my boy?” Grandpa Ashworth exclaimed as he opened his front door when he saw me coming up the front sidewalk.

“I’m doing great Poppop. How are you and Grams doing?”

“We are fine. She is making breakfast now. I’ll let her know you are here and to set another plate.” He said as he hugged me. We went inside the house.

“Oh good lord, you have grown into a handsome young man.” Grams squealed as she rushed to hug me. “I heard you two out on the porch, we were expecting you later, you’re early. But I don’t mind. Just glad you are here.”

“Thanks Grams. I’m going to go wash up before breakfast.” I told her.

We ate breakfast and then Poppop gave me some more lessons in self-defense. Grams made lunch for us and as she was a nurse, gave me more first aid lessons. We discussed how my trip was going and what I thought might happen when I got to where I was going. They seemed really excited about it all, even when I told them the world might end if I can’t find answers to save it.

After lunch, Poppop continued to teach me self-defense and some combat techniques. Grams sat on the porch in her swing and watched us.

“Gray, be careful with him.He is the next king, don’t want to break him.” She yelled.

“Angie, dear, the boy needs training. King Omelette did away with combat training almost half a century ago. I promise not to break him, but I won’t go easy on him either.” He yelled back as he swung his leg around in a roundhouse kick.

“Besides, I’m not that breakable, Grams. I did play Facdow (fa-doe) in school.” I said. In case you don’t know, Facdow is like baseball but flying, sort of. You have a long thin stick, like a broomstick, that you use to hit a puck or flat stone. If you touch the ground you are out. You have to remain flying or hovering the whole time. Otherwise, the rules are just like baseball. It can be dangerous. If you’re not careful, you can lose a wing or even die. It’s definitely more dangerous than baseball.

Grams made dinner and we all watched a movie. It was nice seeing them again. Being born with the mark meant my family had to move to Obscjra (ob-scra). After having spent the day with them, I resupplied and headed back out. My next stop was in Teedly (tee-lee), a fae city in Chicago. My journey was going well, but I was not prepared for the last leg of my trip.