Chapter Six: Oh, Apple Sauce

Chapter Six: Apple Sauce

“Angelica!” Astra rushed to the sitting area to find Angelica-covered apple pieces in a panic. “What happened?”

“I think I may have squeezed instead of rolled,” Angelica said as she wiped apple bits and juice from her cheek. “I got frustrated and did that clinch thing I do when I’m frustrated.” She said as she held her hands up. “I tried to roll it, but it wasn’t working; it just keeps shaking.”

“What did I say about feeling?” Astra said as she signed in relief.

“My emotions control the power,” Angelica said as she got up from the floor. “I am going to go shower.”

“Try not to get apple chunks in the tub.” Astra could not help but giggle at poor Angelica.

“Stop laughing.” Angelica called out as if they were eight again, and one of them made a mess.

“Stop being a spazzy weirdo.” Astra said back in a sarcastic tone.

“When you stop being a sarcastic twit.” Angelica fired back as she entered the bathroom.

***********

Angelica entered the map room with her hair up in a towel. Astra stared at her map in frustration, the tickle still scratching. The map was a perfect hologram with mountains, hills, and trees. Except it wasn’t a hologram, it was magic.

“This is amazing,” Angelica said in awe. “Where did you get it?”

“It belonged to my master, the one who trained me in the art of magic.” Astra said as she tapped her chin. “They gifted it to me when my training was complete. The mirror is a piece of the table.”

“Well, why can't you just use the mirror to find my dad.” Angelica asked, trying to be helpful.

“It's not that simple; I can’t just plug the mirror into the table and ask it where the bloody tomb is.” Astra answered, a little irritated.

“I mean, have you tried that before? You say the mirror is part of the table; why wouldn’t it have a place to plug in?” Angelica questioned with a shrug of her shoulders.

“Wait, you might be right.” Astra snapped her fingers with a pop; the mirror was in her hand. She held the mirror over the table. The table's edge morphed to reveal a slot for the hand mirror. “Why did I not think of this before?”

“You do this thing when you think too hard. You block the information from yourself. I usually have to point it out for you. Just like calculus, you do it every time.” Angelica said with a knowing look.

“Calculus was not part of my formal education till this century, thank you very much.” Astra rolled her eyes at her sister. “Okay, let try it out. “Show me where is Aleister?”

The table lit up as the map morphed to a new landscape and location. The forest was thick and expansive except on area. In the deepest part of the forest was a small clearing with the mausoleum.

“I can't believe that worked?” Astra stared dumbstruck. “Five hundred years, and I did not know they could do that. You think my master would have shared that information.”

“Maybe your master didn't even know?” Angelica mussed as she examined the table's edge at some nobs that looked like carvings. “I wonder what these do?” She asked as she pressed one without thinking. She was teleported to the clearing as she lifted her finger off the nob. “Astra!!!”

“Angelica, where did you go?” Astra searched for Angelica; she could hear, not see her.

Angelica looked to the sky to see the ceiling of the cottage. She walked up to the mausoleum and lifted her hand, expecting to feel the cold stone. Instead of meeting cold stone, her hand simply passed through the hologram. The mausoleum looked as if the moon shined on its white marble.

“I think I am in the map; I am by the mausoleum!” Angelica called from her spot on the map. Astra found her quickly.

“How the hell did you get down there?” Astra's eyes widen in surprise.

“I pushed on the first nob, and I think I may have been teleported onto the map.” Angelica called out, not sure if Astra could hear her. “How do I get out of here!?”

“If I am reading these symbols right,” Astra said as she examined the nobs before pushing one. “This one should bring you back.” Angelica blinked and was normal-size next to Astra.

“Once all of this is over, we are playing D&D on this thing!” Angelica said in excitement.

“Angie, this is an ancient piece of magic; we will do no such thing.” Astra said in shock.

“Come on; you have to admit this would bring the game to a whole new level. We could use an actual dungeon or castle for a campaign.” Angelica said as she did her happy nerd dance.

“Okay, I admit it would be cool, but we need to know more about the table first. Who knows what might happen if we go in half-cocked.”

“How do we do that? Did it come with an owner's manual?” Angelica asked as she looked over the forest.

“Unfortunately, no, it did not.” Astra said as she touched her hand to the mirror.

“So what do we do know?” Angelica asked as she looked over the mausoleum.

“Well, we know where he is. We need to make sure he isn’t guarded.” Astra stated as she wrote down the quadrants.

“I have a question; what does that writing on the mausoleum say?” Angelica asked, not quite sure what the language was.

“I need a closer look; I am going down on the map. Can you stay close by to let me out when I call?” Astra said, not waiting for an answer before pushing the nob.

********

Astra stared at the words trying to remember their origin. This language was ancient and no longer a part of history. It felt familiar to Astra, like a lost memory in a dream. Her hand traced the words trying to remember their meaning. Then it clicked in a brain like a light switch.

“Angelica, I am ready to push the second nob!”