Children of the Sun and Moon (37 page)

Koral moved off
into the area where she had left her pack, to discover her clothing
had been washed and mended. Having not heard a sound, she was
unnerved by it, but assumed it was again magic. Once dressed, she
went down the hall to Eric's room and knocked on the door. When he
opened it, she could tell by the look on his face, he was unnerved
as well.

“This place is
strange. Water which does not cool, oils that revitalize you and
clean clothes appearing out of nowhere.”

Koral smiled.
“It is a magical place,” she remarked. “I was heading to the dinner
hall, are you going to join me.”

“Yes!” he
exclaimed. “I had not realized how hungry I was.”

They moved off
and as they passed the other doors their companions emerged. When
they arrived at the dininghall (none of them knew how they had
found it themselves) the goblins and Gillock were already seated.
Mordekai and Gillock were discussing old times, with the goblin
group listening. Eric was glad his friends were more at ease
now.

“I hope you
found everything to your liking,” said Mordekai.

“This place is
quite interesting,” said Maeve.

Mordekai stared
at the girl, and turned to Gillock. An unspoken word passed between
them, and Mordekai turned back to Maeve. “I am glad you think so.
It took many wizards a few years to perfect the spells which
maintain the school.”

When Maeve
looked at Mordekai, she saw the same things as she did with
Gillock. They were both very honest people, but they were also
hiding something. Things that made them worry. “How is it the magic
is still able to sustain itself?” she asked.

“The spells
were infused into the school. Every brick and beam is magic. It was
designed this way so only one person was needed to maintain it.
There are four of us here and we all have our areas we check daily
to make sure the magic is still active. However, it is failing, but
that is because our own magic is failing.”

“I hadn’t
realized the Void was being affected,” commented Gillock.

“Don't worry,
old friend. There is more than enough left to accomplish what you
have set out to do. Now, we shall eat, and begin discussing what is
going to occur.”

Three men
appeared through a side door leading to the kitchen. They each had
plates of food in their arms. It didn’t look like enough food to
feed them all, but when the plates were placed on the table, they
multiplied. The group just stared at the table. It had been many
weeks since they had seen this much food, and all dove in not
wanting to waste the opportunity. There was not much conversation,
most of what was said was coming from Gillock and Mordekai. Talking
about the world outside. It was a light conversation until Gillock
told him about Koral breaking the illusion spell. Mordekai fell
silent after and just ate his food, as if he was contemplating
something.

When all had
eaten their fill, they refilled their wine goblets and moved
through a doorway into a sitting area. There was a fire burning at
the far end, with seats arranged in front.

“I felt it
might make you all feel more at ease if we discussed things in
comfort,” said Mordekai, taking a seat in an overstuffed chair.

Again, magic
was at work. The seats all appeared to be exactly suited to each
individual. The goblins sat on cushions placed on the floor, which
was their custom. The dwarves on hard, solid looking chairs and the
elves were on ones which appeared to be made of tree branches.
Solid yet delicate in appearance. Eric marvelled at all the magic
around them. He could sense it everywhere, and for the first time
in his life, he felt at ease. He glanced over at Koral to see the
same sense of relief on her face. Here, they could be themselves.
Mordekai saw their glances, and sadness came over him. He quickly
composed himself, hoping no one had seen.

When all were
comfortable, it was Gillock, not Mordekai, who spoke.

“This has been
a long journey, but the hardest part is still to come,” he started,
turning to look right at Koral and Eric. “I have not spoken of how
this was going to end, and I am sorry for keeping secrets from
you.” Turning his focus back to the group, he continued. “There is
a portal here. It will need all of our magic to open it wide enough
for us to go through.”

“A portal to
where?” asked Eric.

“To the lower
levels of the Magima Tower,” answered Mordekai. “It is there your
quest will come to an end.”

“Why do we need
to go there?” questioned Darly.

“What be down
there?” asked Grund.

Gillock raised
his hands. “Please, let Mordekai explain.”

Mordekai stood,
and paced in front of the hearth. “I have kept some secrets from
you, Gillock. I hope you will forgive me.”

Gillock, unsure
as to what Mordekai was speaking about, kept quiet.

“There is a
stone here, a stone specifically made to capture the magic of
beings that were killed. Lakin's plan was to harness this magic and
become powerful; at least it was his plan when he started the
Wizard's War.” The wizard paused, taking a deep breath. “Lakin is
really Kinsley, first wizard and destroyer of magic.”

Everyone
present had been taught the tale. It was necessary to explain why
magic was forbidden, and had a strict penalty attached to its use.
All were shocked to hear the news, but it appeared Mordekai had
more to say, so they kept their questions to themselves for the
time being.

“Down in the
bowels of the Tower, Lakin has rooms filled with magical creatures.
He also has many more Magima than you are aware of, training them
down there until the time is right to attack Melarandra. Time is
different in the lower levels.”

“What kind of
magical creatures?” asked Maeve, her voice showing her question was
more than curiosity.

“There are many
rooms, but I’m only aware of what is kept in one. This room is
special, designed to appear small until the door is open, then it
becomes a vast cavern. This is necessary for the occupant of this
room is a dragon. Your dragon, Gillock. Lakin holds Demosi, and he
has had him all this time.”

Gillock was
rocked by the news. So many emotions happened all at once. Joy that
Demosi was alive, shock he hadn’t felt his dragon, anger at Lakin
for having him and betrayal at Mordekai for keeping this from
him.

“How long have
you known?” questioned Gillock, his voice quiet yet full of
emotion.

Mordekai could
see the pain in his friend’s eyes. “I was not positive until a few
years ago. I could not tell you, Gillock. If I had Lakin may have
killed him and he is the key to returning magic.”

Mordekai then
turned to Darly and Glavlin. Both of the elves had tears streaming
down their faces. “You both have every right to be upset. Few
people know of the bond dragons and elves share. That it was your
people who took care of the eggs, singing and talking to them until
they were ready to hatch. You will be witness to the last dragon,
and he will need your help.”

Both of the
elves just nodded, unable to speak.

Koral, Eric and
the dwarves were not sure how to react. Eric had always dreamed of
having his own dragon, and knowing one was still alive made his
dream seem possible. Koral always loved the idea of dragons, their
elegance and intelligence always impressed her. The dwarves were
thinking differently. Dragons did not agree with dwarves. The
goblins were worried. Once upon a time, dragons snacked on
goblins.

“Why do we need
a dragon?” asked Koral, realizing no one had spoken in some time
and felt the silence needed to be broken.

Mordekai sat
back down. “The stone was made by magical means. The only way to
destroy it is with the fire breath of a dragon. When the dragon is
heating it, this is when you and Eric need to create the mist which
will carry the magic slowly into the world.”

There it was.
What the quest was all about. How important it was the twins create
the spell. The fact that all the lives of the people on Melarandra
depended on that one moment. Neither one knew what to say. It was
all of a sudden, far too real and over-whelming. The confidence
which had brought them this far appeared to waver.

“Eric. Koral.
You need to remember your training,” came Maeve's voice. Her
ability showing her their doubts. “You have spent all of your life
learning about this. And the entire trip here you have become
stronger, and your abilities more focused. Plus, you have all of us
to help you succeed. Don't doubt yourselves, this is what you were
trained to do.”

Eric and Koral
looked at each other, then slowly to the faces of their friends,
and both knew they could do this. “It is late,” said Gillock. “We
should all retire for the night. Tomorrow we will begin our
planning.”

Everyone agreed
and headed to his or her rooms, all save Gillock and Mordekai. It
was clear the wizards had more to discuss and wanted to be alone.
No one spoke except to say good night to the others, and all
retired to their rooms. Even though they were confused and had many
thoughts going through their minds, the magic of the school
intervened. All were asleep moments after their heads hit their
pillows.

“What more have
you not told me, old friend?” asked Gillock when they were
alone.

Mordekai
sighed, wondering where to begin. “The prophecy is not as it
appears. The true betrayal has not occurred yet.”

“What do you
mean? Has all this been for nothing?” Gillock noticed his voice was
rising, and calmed himself down.

“All this was
necessary. There is more to the prophecy than what we ever
understood. All the years here, I was able to read many books, and
discovered a few things. It starts with what we are doing here, but
will end in the lands of the west.” Mordekai paused, seeing if
Gillock had any questions. When he voiced none, Mordekai continued.
“Below us, in a secret and protected room, are six wizards. The
elven wizards left the west lands with Glomain all those years ago.
They are here because they have a part to play in the return of
magic. I am not sure what it is yet, but they assured me when the
time came, I would understand.”

“Lakin has
Glomain as well,” stated Gillock, although he was only now sure
that was the case.

“Yes, I believe
the elf king is in the lower levels of the Tower as well,”
responded Mordekai.

“And will
Glavlin be told his father lives?”

“Tomorrow, when
the plans have been made, I will tell him. We cannot leave him down
there. There is no telling what Glomain has endured.”

Morning came,
and all those in the group were refreshed and ready for the day.
Eric's sleep was filled with dreams of heroes, and he knew this was
the day it would come true. Koral's dreams were far different. It
was the dream she had before and it left her feeling cold. Not
wanting to dwell on it, she splashed cold water on her face, got
dressed and headed down to the dining hall and moved through to the
sitting area.

The goblin
group was already there, in deep discussion with Gillock. She could
not understand because they were speaking in their tongue, but it
appeared as if they were worried. Moments after she arrived the
rest of the group trickled in. Mordekai appeared, and beckoned
Glavlin who followed him out of the room. Koral, not knowing what
to do sat down and waited.

Glavlin
followed Mordekai for a time, and then they entered a room, which
appeared to be a study. “This is my private study,” said Mordekai,
taking a seat off to the side. He gestured to the chair beside him
and Glavlin sat, curious as to what was going to be discussed.
Mordekai folded his hands in his lap, but it was many minutes
before he spoke. “I have been trying to figure out how to explain
myself to you, but have come to realize that any judgment you give
to me will be just.”

Glavlin sat
back, his curiosity turning to concern. “Speak then,” he said
calmly. “For clearly, it is something which is weighing heavy on
your heart.”

“In a few hours
we will be in the lower levels of the Tower,” he began his voice
soft. “There is the danger that Lakin will be waiting, and will do
what he can to prevent Koral and Eric from succeeding. You are
going to be needed to protect them, but once you are there
something else will pull at you.”

Glavlin leaned
forward, his curiosity piqued again. “What could be down there that
will distract me?” he asked.

“Your father,”
came the reply, and it stunned Glavlin.

“My father?” he
said slowly as if to convince himself they were true.

“On one of the
scouting trips outside of the Cyprian Forest the band was attacked.
Lakin made it appear as if your father was killed in a ball of
fire. What actually happened was that Lakin kidnapped him, and has
held him prisoner since that day.”

Glavlin
remembered the day well. He had just turned twenty and was hoping
to go scout with them, but there had been rumours of dark things
attempting to get into the Cyprian Forest, and his father would not
allow him to come. Eight elves and the king left that morning, only
three returned. Glavlin was claimed king that evening, and as is
elven custom when a body is not recovered, all of Glomain's
personal belongings, aside from those passed down, were burned in a
ceremonial fire. It took him weeks before he could come to terms
with the loss.

The small band
that had left the westlands with them worried he was too young to
handle the responsibility placed before him. When he had finished
his mourning, he proved them wrong and they all swore fealty to
him.

“When Koral and
Eric finish their task, I will free him,” stated Glavlin, his voice
full of determination.

“I assumed
that’s what you would do. We just must make sure the twins finish
first,” said Mordekai.