Chapter Five
"How far away is this place?" Ned asked Veriel.
Veriel turned his head to face Malone.
"I'd say we'll be there anytime now."
A few minutes later, they began to see light.
"Is that- Avalon? Asked Challenger.
"The valley it is in, yes." Veriel nodded.
They walked out from the cave, and saw an enormous valley. The mountains on each side were so steep, it would be impossible to climb them. Malone looked around, looking for Avalon. Then he saw it. Down in the valley was a city. He could barley spot people moving. It was so much larger than what he had expected. It seemed to glitter in the sun.
"Wow." Challenger and Malone stared at it.
Veriel led them down stairs in the hillside that had obviously been worn out over the years. In a few minutes they arrived at a large gate. Outside of the gate were merchants selling their goods. The guards at the gate saluted Veriel and opened the gate. In front of them was a large, golden palace. They walked up the numerous stairs. When they reached the top Veriel spoke again.
"In here is the Queen's throne room." He opened the door and they walked in.
The room was so awesome that Ned was speechless. He just opened his mouth. The room was huge. Most of the room was made of gold. All the way down at the end of the hall was a chair with a beautiful woman sitting in it, with two guards standing near her. Veriel led the explorers forward. When they got closer, Veriel stopped and nodded. Challenger and Malone started to bow lower, but she stood up.
"You don't need to do that." Her voice sounded like music from a harp. "Greetings. I am Abigail Layton.
Ned and Challenger stood back up.
"Veriel, where is my daughter?"
"She is on the way your highness. With a guard."
"And the other two are with her?"
"Yes."
"Well-um..." Challenger raised his hand. "Beg your pardon, but there are three other people there now."
"What?" She stared at him.
"Well, it's complicated…you see I made a machine that would teleport us back to England."
"Continue."
"But it transported us to the future. 2033 to be exact. The world had been destroyed-"
"What!" Abigail interrupted him. "I'm sorry, continue."
"It had been destroyed by war, and we found a woman there who had survived. And she came back with us."
"That's amazing. What is her name?"
"Finn."
Ned had heard this story before. He was on his own journey when that incident happened.
"I'm sure you have many more stories. When Veronica and her friends arrive, we will have a feast." When she said this she smiled. She was obviously happy that she would see her daughter again.
"Please follow me, I will show you to your rooms."