Chapter 2

As they head through the vast wasteland a small voice arose from somewhere in the back of the group. “Si.. si... Sir..” Trembled Ajay as he struggled to keep up with the rest of the crew. “Is there shelter anywhere? I can’t feel my toes, Dr. Hawthorne.” 

Jasper cleared his throat as his already deep and raspy voice caused by smoking way too many countless Cuban cigars is somewhat raspier and strained. “Yes, of course, Dr. Anderson built a hut around here, yes.” He quickly looked down at the old, worn-out map and squinted looking back up. “Ahh, this way, yes, this is the way.” 

“Are you sure Uncle?” Questioned Bridgette, her once porcelain skin now a bright red from the harsh sting of the howling wind. Jasper grumbled some unintelligible words with his back towards everyone, leading the way, deeper into the vast uncharted territory. 

“It's best to leave him to his thoughts, my Dear,” Mrs. Watson said with grace as she grabbed Bridgette’s hand. She was surprisingly very athletic and virile for her age, everyone thought they would have had to make several stops, but she kept up the brisk pace Jasper set for everyone. They reached the hut that looked more like a mountain lodge than an old, rickety, outdated shed. 

“What a strange sight to see smoke coming from inside, Uncle is someone living here?” Inquired Bridgette catching up to her uncle who had been walking faster than the brisk pace from the beginning not seeming to get winded at all. 

“What? Oh, yes,” He knocked four times as he walked up to the big wooden door with slight pauses between each knock. No one seemed to see who opened the door until the last person was inside from the unforgiving land, as it closed they were startled by a stocky-built, old, withered man. His salt and pepper hair was in two braids falling onto his jean shirt, his face had an odd but inviting smile. His skin was dark caramel, and his nose was very wide surrounded by many wrinkles. He then began to speak very low and deep. 

“Welcome,” Is the only word to leave his lips as he made his way over to Dr. Hawthorne to help with his bags. 

“This is Aput Katoo,” He handed the man his cane and hat as he motioned everyone to come further inside, “he is my closest friend, Aput lives here with his family, we are his guests,” Jasper told everyone unwrapping his long brown scarf from around his neck. “This is Kallik,” He noticed as a young man walked next to the older man. “Aput’s grandson he and his twin sister, Yura, help their grandparents, I’m sure Yura and Amka are in the kitchen.” The old man pulled out a Cuban cigar and a lighter from his jean shirt pocket and handed them to Dr. Hawthorne.

“I will show you to your rooms,” Kallik said in a sweet honey-like voice as he moved past everyone. He had a slender build with short black hair and big ears, resembling a younger version of his grandfather, very plain looking, except his skin is covered in traditional Inuit tattoos called kakiniit, from his face to his feet.

“I didn’t think anyone lived in the Antarctic,” Miles told Sean a bit louder than he was intending. 

“They don’t, my grandparents moved here thirty-five years ago when Dr. Jasper saved my grandfather from freezing to death here. He gave this house to my grandparents.” Replied Kallik walking down the narrow hallway. Never turns his head backward but keeps his focus ahead. 

“So, uh, how does everyone get food?” Questioned Miles walking into the room he was sharing with Sean and setting his duffel bag on the shag green carpet. 

“My father and I take turns bringing food in from Puerto Toro, we have a plane, it’s the closest place,” Killik answered, continuing toward Jasper and Calvin’s room. “Ms. Bridgette you will room with my sister and Mrs. Clara, and Ajay will room with me.” He said as he started back up the hallway, “Oh, and dinner is at seven.” 

“Come in everyone sit, sit, we are in for a feast,” Jasper said as he stepped away from Aput standing near the kitchen door, and moved closer to the table, putting out his cigar in the reddish-brown glass ashtray. “Amka and Yura have graciously prepared this wonderful traditional Inuit supper.” He finished making his way to a chair along the long wooden table.

 “What’s on the menu?” Miles asked in a joking manner while rubbing his hands together, sitting down toward the front of the table. 

“Arctic char,” Yura started, pointing at a plate of food with a wooden spoon in hand. “Snow goose,” she tapped on the white serving plate in front of her twice. “Ringed seal,” Yura pointed across the table standing on her tiptoes at the blue plate in front of her grandfather. “Beluga whale,” She pointed to the white-covered plate in front of Dr. Hawthorne. “Bannock, suaasat, berries, and we brought in corn and nuts.” She finished grabbing her grandfather’s plate to prepare his meal. Yura, like her brother, was slender, with very long black hair. She was beautiful, her brown eyes were like her brother's, and her face also had the traditional Inuit tattooing. She also had a tiny beauty mark just above the right side of her lip. As supper ended Jasper stood up and told everyone to hit the hay because they were in for a long journey the next day. 

“Good morning everyone, unfortunately in the middle of the night an avalanche packed us in.” Dr. Jasper announced to everyone, as they started to appear from their rooms. Next to him was Aput standing right by his side like a show or musical act about to be performed. “But not to worry, Aput has radioed his son, Nanouk, to come to our aid. Unfortunately, it will be about a week before he can come this way.” He takes the cigar being offered to him by Aput and he lights it up. “Not to worry, Aput has graciously extended our stay and we have more than enough to eat.” He finished patting Aput’s back as they both turn to make their way into the sitting room.

            “So, Doc,” Sean piped up, getting everyone’s attention. “I see you with that cane, every day tell me what’s the story?”

            “Oh, there must be a story, we all know you can walk without it.” Miles laughed chiming in.

            “This cane has been passed down through the Hawthorne family for years." He raised the black and silver-plated cane, gazing at it. “It has a bear as the handle,” He showed everyone the silver bear that seemed to always be in the middle of a great roar. “I got it from my father and so forth, my great grandfather, Absalom Archibald Ichabod Hawthorne, used to tell me the story of this cane.” He looked about the sitting room, then back to his cane.

            “Well, go on, I know I want to hear the story, go on tell us.” Dr. MacCleary piped up sitting up from the brown sofa. 

            “Alright, well, my twenty-fifth great grandfather, Sir Leofric Finnan Hawthorne, was a mighty warrior, having fought in the Saintonge War in France and the first Baron’s War, he was awarded a knighthood by King Henry the Third of England.” He paused smiling, leaning on the antique cane. “Just as he was knighted the second Baron’s War approached. It was then Prince Edward, was taken hostage, and Sir Leofric was the one that helped free him. The young Prince was out hunting and Leofric rescued him at the behest of King Henry. Oh of course his name is lost in history, yes, you won’t find him in history books.”

            “What?!” Shouted Miles. “If he saved the future King Edward the Third then surely he would be in history books, you can’t just erase history.” 

            “Yes, I’m afraid you can, when you’re a King you can practically do anything, especially rewrite history to your liking.” Bridgette piped up walking into the sitting room with a piece of strawberry cake in hand.

            “Yes, she’s right, King Henry the Third erased Sir Leofric from history after he rescued the young Prince, he befriended him, they were similar in age, both remarkably tall and loved swordplay. Sir Leofric introduced him to relatives of his one day in the village, Leticia Maude O'Brien and Petrinella Sorcha O’Brien the witch twins. They were the most powerful witches anyone has ever or will ever see, they came from the druids, powerful leaders that had varying abilities.” Jasper paused as he watched everyone’s eyes light up and lean forward, like children during storytime. “As they are getting to know one another, one sister asked Sir Leofric if their sight worked for him. It was then the young prince learned that the twins were witches throughout Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England. He cursed them as well as my grandfather the one who saved his life, he swore his life upon God and never forgave Sir Leofric. One night out at a tavern assassins sent by the young prince attacked Sir Leofric and cut his Achilles tendon as he fell from a roof. He then had to walk with a cane, he went to his kin and asked the witches to make him a gift to get back at his enemies. In the fires, it took a fortnight to make, some say they went to the underworld itself, and they came back with this cane and this ring. They promised their kin he shall always be able to defeat his foe.” He held up the cane one last time to admire its beauty, as he sighed, “But it is only a pretty story passed down through generations, this is merely just a cane and a gold ring.” As he turned his head and made eye contact with Aput he cleared his throat, "Alright everyone, I think it's time for bed, we'll talk more tomorrow,"

           “So, I think it pressing we get better acquainted,” Jasper said aloud the next day. “I don’t know why we didn’t on the boat,” He whispered to his niece, as he cleared his throat and promptly made eye contact with Miles. “Yes, Mr. Wiley will you delight us with stories or truths about yourself?”

 As Miles lightly coughed into his clenched hand he scanned the room, he then rubbed his hands on his worn-out blue jeans. “Sure uhh, I was born in Tupelo, Mississippi.” 

           “Birthplace of Elvis Presley,” Dr. Hawthorne interrupted him, “How lucky,”

           “Yes, sometimes,” Miles reacted as he laid his hands down on his legs. “Not so easy for poor black kids growing up in Mississippi, Mama worked three jobs and there were five of us. My father died when I was five, but my neighbor, Mr. Jones was a mechanical engineer at the time and served in the army for ten years. He was a great man who helped us out many times and he inspired me to get a job as an engineer as well, I owe a lot to that man. He helped my brothers and me become the men we are today.” 

            “How amazing that man, is truly admirable.” Jasper piped up, seeming to always want the last word. “Inspiring!” He turned to Dr. MacCleary raising his eyebrows.

            “Right, well I hail from Perth, Scotland, that’s about an hour north from Edinburgh. I love the ocean, always have, I was a right wee fish myself as a lad. I came here to study organisms and rocks.” He laughed heartily “There hasn’t been much research here and I feel if we can understand what’s living out there under the ice and the rock formations; we can understand how and what we need to do to save the Earth.” He finished smiling. Bridgette watched the way his face lit up talking about his passion for rocks and water.

            “Amazing!” Jasper smiled “If only everyone in the world had your enthusiasm and passion, we could find simple ways for everything!” He then faced Mrs. Watson sitting next to Miles as he glowed, held out his hand, and lowered his head. “Gracious Clara, would you grace the rest of us?”

            “Oh, Jasper you flirt,” She waved her hand as she turned her head to the side. “Well, you should all know by now that the doctor couldn’t make it without me.” She chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand.

            “You are correct, that you are, darling,” Jasper agreed laughing along.

            “I tease, I am only his secretary, I have been for about forty years or so. I have been on many trips like this, the doctor insisted I would enjoy this one far more than the others.” She giggled holding her hand up and covering her fingers with her mouth. “I have a strong connection with nature, much like Dr. MacCleary here, I want to do my part to preserve it.” Dr. Hawthorne stood and applauded, he was surely her biggest fan. They were a great duo, always hyping each other up. He then gestured toward Ajay, who was seated in between Brigette and Miles.

           “I have shared way too much already on the boat,” Ajay waved his arms while shaking his head.

           “Come now, we are all sharing,” Dr. Hawthorne insisted as he sat back down, in the large brown chair across from the sofa.

           “Okay Doctor, I came to learn everything I possibly could, I never feel like I know enough. I want to learn and tell people my age so they can be informed and do their part.” Ajay replied as he shifted in his seat.

Without missing a beat Bridgette spoke up, “Uncle, you insisted I come on this journey but you did not explain why.”

            “That is true Bridgie, and it is hard to explain, have you ever gotten a feeling to do something and you can’t explain why?” He asked looking about the room at the many faces staring back at him, noticing a few heads nod in agreement. “It’s like that, I just knew you had to come with me.” The room fell silent as they sat in awe at what Dr. Hawthorne tried his best to explain. 

            “Well, I came on this expedition...” Calvin began but was shushed by his boss.

            “Is that? What’s that sound?” Jasper quickly got to his feet and headed toward the door. “I think it’s Aput’s son,” He turned back smiling. As Nanouk got the house cleared of the snow they spent the rest of the day enjoying each other's company and making jokes before going to bed early at the behest of Dr. Jasper.

“Doc we’ve been walking for hours,” Miles whined, getting Jasper’s attention as they trudged through the snow.

 “There isn’t a hidden palace anywhere?” Calvin piped up sarcastically following behind Miles leaving him dead last in the line they seemed to form.

 “No,” Dr. Hawthorne said plainly, “We’ll set up camp there,” He pointed to a cave that seemed to be hidden from everyone’s sight by fog. Looking puzzled they all head toward the cave to seek some shelter from the unforgiving sting of the harsh wind. After trudging days in the uncharted wasteland, Jasper suddenly stopped but didn't say anything, he studied the map, as he flipped it this way and that.

 “Uncle, are you alright?’’ Asked Bridgette touching his arm, and glancing down at the map.

 “Quite,” Dr. Hawthorne replied, keeping his head down. “This way,” He pointed as he looked up and continued to walk on. Clara takes Bridgette’s hand as the two of them exchange concerned glances.

 “Dr. Hawthorne, we’ve been walking for days,” Dr. Dubois stopped and whined from the back of the pack. “I fear this is a failed mission, or umm, adventure.” He sighed deeply and loudly.

“There!” Jasper shouted pointing his finger, “Just a few feet, now!” Their faces once plagued with disappointment become hopeful, as Calvin threw his hands up mumbling that no one listens to him. As they approached, the snow became thick ice. “But, it’s supposed to be here,” He was very confused as he took off his sunglasses and stared down at the ground.

 “Jasper, Dear, breathe, what is it?” Questioned Clara, while strains of her gray hair flowed back as the wind rushed past them, as she grabbed onto Jasper’s brown puffer jacket with a faux fur-lined hood.

 “Oh, Clara, it should be here, the findings were right,” He protested frantically, his mustache was unkempt now, and he was also growing a beard, far from the man that first started this adventure.

 “Uncle, I’m so sorry,” Cried Bridgette running toward him. In the heat of the moment, Jasper jumped up and down out of pure frustration, Bridgette watching her uncle, did the same in fear of his ridicule. It inspired Mrs. Watson to jump in, along with Ajay. Soon, Dr. MacClearly and Miles too as well.

 “Always the stickler, Cal," Bridgette teased him as she continued jumping. Calvin scoffed and started to jump, but as soon as he did the ice started to break. They all stood perfectly still, but they didn't fall into any water. The ice slowly descended like an elevator, as they reached the bottom they soon see what seems to be an underground passageway. Until they turn around and are greeted by people. They are quickly taken and herded to a few jail cells, down a hallway, and down some stairs which they didn’t think was possible to go any lower.

        “I am Agneta Zanzibar, how did you find us?” A tall, muscular, lean, red-haired woman in braids walked in through the doors and right up to the cell. She had a well-rounded face with only one dimple on her left cheek.

         Jasper jumped to his feet, “Are you human?” 

         “Are you?!” Agneta insisted, putting her forehead onto the steel, cold, black bars. Her face was covered in freckles, and she kept a stern look about her. 

         “Here, it’s a map,” Jasper started as he handed her the old piece of paper from his pocket. 

         “I know what a map is.” She quickly snapped, jerking the paper from his hand and opening it. “Where did you get this?”

          “It was my mentor’s” Jasper started “Dr. Lonie Anderson” 

          “Dr. Lonie Anderson,” they say simultaneously.

 His face grew brighter with a smile. “You knew him?” He quickly asked, standing tall and broad as he pushed his glasses back up onto his face.

         “Jasper?” She inquired in a hushed tone standing back from the cell while still holding onto the bars. She was dressed in an all-fur outfit, though the brown skirt was mid-thigh, she seemed pretty warm.

         “How do you know his name?” Asked Bridgette standing up, walking toward both of them, and moving her hair from her chapped bright red lips. 

        “You knew him?” Asked Jasper this time a bit louder, gripping the bars tightly.

        “He told you?” Agneta whispered aloud letting go of the bars with her eyes tearing up. But before he could answer she said, ”Impossible, he died here, right here with the Queen.” She started to cry, putting her head down.

          “Queen? Wait, a queen?” Bridgette asked, not thinking she heard her correctly so she moved closer.

          “He died here?!” Jasper asked impatiently. Then shaking his head in disbelief. “He perished at sea.” 

          Agneta scoffed while staring them down, her dark blue eyes were certainly one of a kind but she sold her seriousness, ”He passed away sleeping next to the Queen.” 

          “He was a King?” Piped up Dr. Dubois, sitting down on the long wooden bench next to Ajay turning his body toward the cell doors.

          “He was not a king, but a lover to the Queen,” Agneta replied with sternness in her voice, still standing away from the cell.

          “A lover?” Calvin scoffed while rolling his big hazel eyes. “The man was ninety-seven when he died, I doubt he was anyone’s lover but death’s.”

          “I don’t like you.” She answered him, pointing her finger at Calvin and squinting her eyes in disapproval moving up to the cell.

            “Please,” Bridgette started.

           “I have come to present you to the Queen, you will follow me.” Agneta unlocked the cell and escorted them into the grand room. As they entered they saw paintings, sculptures, old weapons, and decorations of all kinds. The people there look a little different, they are taller and muscular, and their features are more prominent. 

            “Intruders,” Yelled this extremely tall, muscular, man with long dark brunette hair cascading down his face. He wore white paint covering his face, like a handprint angled from top to bottom. He had no shirt so each muscle and vein was visible. He was wearing fur pants and an old bull helmet with the horns still attached. “You are in the presence of her magnificent prestige, Queen Yolandi Zanzibar. You are only welcome under her majesty’s grace. Step forward and state your names and from where you hail!” Agneta looked agitated as no one stepped up so she pushed Bridgette forward.

            With her hands together in front of her, she stared at the queen and spoke up, “Bridgette Hawthorne, I’m from Louisiana, that’s in North America, uhh the United States, your Grace.”

            Seeing her being uncomfortable Jasper stepped up alongside her and added, “I’m Dr. Jasper Hawthorne, from South Carolina, that’s also in the United States.” 

         “Hawthorne?” Questioned, Queen Yolandi as she scooted toward the edge of her seat. Her bleach-blonde hair was almost white, and her slender look was quite graceful. She has big brown eyes and a long protruding nose, thin but it draws the eye.

         “Yes, your Grace,” Jasper bowed, taking off his white fedora.

         “Oh, you are most welcome, most welcome indeed.” The Queen screeched, her voice, high in pitch that doesn’t seem to sit well with its scratchiness, as she clasped her hands together in front of her chest.

          “Shall they continue?” Asked the same man, his voice so deep it startled Bridgette. Yolandi quickly waved her hand and Agneta pushed Calvin forward. 

          “Uhh, I’m Dr. Calvin Dubois, I’m from Quebec, that’s uhh in Canada.” He stuttered and stumbled forward.

          “I’m Ajay Gupta from New Delhi, India, I’m only a few credits shy of getting my doctorate.” Ajay peeked out from behind Miles, too afraid to step forward.

         “The name’s Miles Wiley, from Mississippi in the States Ma’am.” Miles stepped up and nodded his head. The Queen gave a slight grin to Miles' size and stature.

          “I guess it’s my turn then,” Clara relayed as she looked on ahead, never moving, “Well, my name is Mrs. Clara Watson, I was raised in Bath, that’s in Britain, Dear.” 

          “Well, uh, the name’s Dr. Sean MacCleary, I’m from Perth, Scotland, your Grace.” He bowed his head and put his feet together.

          “Come, I will show you all the great hall and the rest of the castle,” Yolandi told them standing up, and walking toward the hallway behind them. “I will tell you who we are and how we came to be.” As they entered the great hallway they see various paintings of men and women. “These are the past monarchs that ruled our peoples,” Yolandi said with a smile as she passed the busts of men. 

          “What are your people?” Dr. Dubois reacted a bit scared standing at the end of the pack, next to the same man from earlier, who seemed to be following behind.

          “We are part of the human race, we are further advanced than the modern homo sapiens. Through centuries of evolution here we have evolved faster, stronger, taller, and we have thicker skin to adapt to the extreme cold.” she stared them down intensely. “You can only live for one week without sustenance, we can live for two. We are the same but different. We have lived down here since the Norsemen put down their swords and axes and picked up their staff for sheep.”

        “That’s only about nine hundred and fifty-six years, evolution doesn’t happen that fast,” Calvin yelled out sarcastically as he side-stepped away from the brutish man. 

         “We have lived down here for over nine hundred and fifty years, but we have lived here in Antarctica since man was on Earth, we have been evolving for centuries.” The Queen turned her back toward everyone to walk on, her long pink dress twirling as she turned. “This is Bjarke, he was the first King, and he reigned alongside his Queen, Tallia. The monarchy stays in the Zanzibar family and always will.” She quickly touched a painting of a brutish man with long flowing chestnut hair and a thick mustache. He didn’t have on a shirt but had a slender blonde woman with very high cheekbones standing on the side of him. They both wore gold crowns encrusted with jewels. She continued to walk ever so lightly as if she would be floating. They entered the dining hall and into a room that has no name at least the Queen didn’t disclose it. “This is where I keep my son, Raiden, he is under a spell cast by the last fae.” 

           “Fairies aren’t real!” Calvin rolled his big hazel eyes and sidestepped away from the man again.

            “Fairies are real, you skeptical ninnie, the wee buggers will cast a spell ye for sure.” Sean blurted out, his Scottish accent a lot thicker than before. 

            Queen Yolandi smiled and replied, “The fae are the most powerful, some good others with evil intentions. We killed most of the fae but some did escape, they aren’t what you see in stories, they look human and can surely pass as one. One of them put my son on ice and the only one that can save him is his soulmate.”

            “Soulmate?’’ Started Miles shifting his weight from one foot to the other and crossing his arms. “Like in the movie, Snow White, he has to get kissed to wake up by his one true love?” 

            “This is no movie,” Barked out Agneta, coming out of the dark like a shadow figure. “ He does not need a kiss but a...”

             “It matters not what he needs, Agneta, we shall endure.” Yolandi cut Agneta off and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Come, you will be honored guests, we shall hold a feast.” They all quickly followed as Bridgette lagged staring at the solid rock of ice with a man inside. 

            “Bridgie!” Shouted out, Dr. Hawthorne. As she turned to walk she tripped and her hand landed on the ice, she quickly stood up, straightened herself out, and sprinted to catch up.