Davide entered the drawing room and greeted his parents after their return from the Cave of Thirteen. His father, being Prince Thirteen, was often required to fly there for issues related to the governing of shapelings and mission assignments. When Davide had first learned about the cave during his teen years, he'd begged his father to take him. His father had said the location was secret and could only be reached by flight. Hoping to persuade him, Davide had learned to paraglide. However, even that had not swayed his father.
"Hello son," Roth said warmly and embraced him.
His mother grinned and hugged him after his father. "What have you been up to while we were gone?"
"Grandpa asked me to work with your lab's team to think-tank your idea for individual frequency-pack implants. It must feel good to have your life's work finally clear governmental hurdles."
"Well, we still have a long way to go in our research, but getting this far is awesome. It's taken longer to clear regulations than it did to pinpoint the disruptive frequencies necessary for recreating body organs."
"That's bureaucracy for you. Grandpa's hopeful the frequency packs will be available within a couple of years." Davide chuckled, "Oh, and I've also been retrieving items from the cellar for Beth."
Among the household staff and family, it was a longstanding joke that the old cook had not entered the cellar in decades because she believed it was haunted. Of course, that belief had been spawned by Rainey as a teen when she'd discovered a window that became her escape to the outside world.
His parents laughed and then motioned him to a chair across from theirs.
Davide glanced from one to the other. "Okay, you've both got Cheshire grins; what's up?"
Without prelude his father announced, "I'm going to give you the directions to the Cave of Thirteen. It's located on an island in the Pacific known among shapelings as the Isle of Shapelings."
Davide's mouth dropped. "You're kidding?"
"No, son, I'm not. I believe it's time for you to meet your great-grandfather, the Prominent Prince, and your great-grandmother, as well as the rest of the council. You do remember how to paraglide, don't you?"
"Most definitely! What brought about this change of heart?"
His father glanced at his mother. "A recent revelation that I cannot reveal."
"Dad, as usual, you're being cryptic; but no matter, I'm overjoyed. When can I go?"
His mother interjected, "There are certain conditions that must be met before your father will reveal the way to the cave."
Davide frowned. "What kind of conditions?"
"You must visit Uluru in the Australian Outback and go on a walkabout."
Davide's eyes rounded.
His mother quickly added, "I know you don't understand now…"
Davide interrupted. "It's not that. I just dreamed of Uluru last night. My God, the mountain lives, it breathes, and calls to me in my dreams."
Now it was Roth and Rainey's turn to be shocked. The three of them stared at each other. Finally, Roth said, "There's another condition, Davide."
Davide wasn't sure he liked the tone of his father's voice. "And what is that?"
"You must take Zoe with you. And after you both return from the walkabout, I'll reveal the location of the Isle of Shapelings, with the stipulation that she also travel there."