Children of the Sun and Moon (10 page)

He knew goblins
of old had magic users among them, but didn’t know it still
happened today. He stood and went over to him. Nak was so involved
with the spell, he did not notice until Eric was beside him. He
finished the spell and turned to face Eric.

“Somethings
youz wantses askz,” said Nak.

“Do you realize
your magic is most likely being tracked by the Order,” stated Eric,
flatly.

Nak stood and
turned from Eric. “Theyses nots oneses worries boutz.”

Eric could not
believe what he was hearing. “If the Order sensed your magic use,
then they know where we are, and if they know where we are then you
can bet they have already dispatched some Magima. All could be lost
if they catch us before we can finish our task.”

Nak stood. “No.
Alls wez doz is makes itses Keenleyses. Froms

theres wez bez
finses.”

Eric sighed. “I
hope you are right Nak. But if I know the Order, they already have
someone on our trail.”

CHAPTER
SEVEN

General Traug
was quite bored with the festival. He never did like these social
gatherings and wished Lakin would stop making him come to them.
Deciding he had made enough of an appearance today, he headed
towards his tent. Drawing closer to his tent, a sense of
anxiousness overcame him. Sighing, he pulled back the flap and
entered.

“Tarowen?
Luthien? I assume it's your presence I'm sensing.”

Two figures
emerged from the shadows. “Yes, we are here,” answered Tarowen.

“I'm guessing
you have some news,” asked the general.

“We have news
from Maget Tower. They have sensed magic in the woods south of
here. It is thought it may be the group which Prince Eric left
with,” began Luthien.

“And seeing as
how he passed the tests we can only assume it is the goblins he is
with who are practising the art,” finished Tarowen.

Traug moved
over to his desk and sat down. “When do you leave?”

Luthien moved
over towards him. “We aren't leaving alone. Lakin has ordered you
to lead this particular mission.”

Traug turned
with a start. “Why am I to lead this? My place is here at the
king’s side. I should not be gallivanting around the countryside
after some goblins.”

Traug kept his
stare on Luthien, but it was Tarowen who answered. “The Order has
determined these goblins may be trying to fulfil the prophecy. This
is what requires your immediate attention. We will, of course, be
informing the king of this before we leave.”

“Very well,”
responded Traug. “We will leave at first light.”

Both of the
Magima bowed and were about to take their leave, when Princess Brin
burst into the tent. “Your highness,” stammered the general once he
had regained his composure. “To what do I owe this visit?”

“I have no time
for formalities, general. I overheard your conversation and there
is something you must know. I have reason to believe my brother and
sister are indeed the twins from the prophecy.”

General Traug
was taken aback and it took him a moment to respond. “You have
proof I presume?”

Brin moved
closer to the general and lowered her voice. “I have seen members
of my family perform magic,” she whispered as if stating the fact
could get her into serious trouble.

Luthien and
Tarowen looked at each other and Olrond knew they must know
something more. “Can you tell me who, and what it was they did?” he
asked.

Brin looked
about nervously. “Not here. I can explain it all better if we go to
the castle.”

General Traug
agreed and he, along with the two Magima, followed her to the
castle. Brin lead them to the gardens. Brin was not sure how she
was going to explain what she knew to the general, but it was the
law and he had to know. When they arrived, Brin searched the entire
garden to make sure they were indeed alone.

“I have seen my
mother and sister perform magic,” she stated bluntly.

Traug was
stunned, but noticed the news did not have the same effect on the
two Magima. “Are you certain of this?” asked Traug.

“Yes,” she
answered, solemnly. “When Koral went to look for Eric, my mother
knew exactly where she was and what was happening. I also saw Koral
with Gillock in this very garden, doing unusual feats. I did not
know where else to go.”

General Traug
could hear the pain in Brin’s voice. “It must be terrible for you,”
he calmly said to her.

Brin looked at
him with tears in her eyes, “What are we to do?”

“We won't do
anything until morning,” he stated.

Luthien and
Tarowen said nothing. They both bowed and left the princess and the
general alone.

Traug stood to
take his leave as well. “Don't worry; we will keep this quiet for
now.”

Brin nodded and
said her thanks and the general left her, alone, in the garden.

Elizanne was
beside herself. She knew the only reason Brin would be with General
Traug was to tell him what she saw. She also knew she could not
just up and leave the festivities, but it was becoming increasingly
difficult to act happy around the festivalgoers. Finally, when the
stress was getting unbearable, she decided to head towards the
palace. Elizanne was about ready to turn and run when she saw the
general and the two Magima coming back towards their tent. The
general turned and stared at the queen. His eyes showed a pained
look and Elizanne knew he had been told the truth. The years of
trust and friendship withered away with that one look. She did not
know why he was not outright arresting her, but figured it was his
last act of friendship. Elizanne was not going to waste it. If she
or any of the royal family left early, it would look suspicious, so
she had time to plan. Now things were moving much faster, and it
was not going well at all.

Koral staggered
towards her room. The dancing had gone on all night, the sun would
be coming up soon, and she needed rest. This was the first time she
was allowed to try the different mead’s and ales in the taverns and
had decided they did not agree with her. Not even bothering to take
off her dress, Koral slumped onto her bed and was asleep
instantly.

“Princess, wake
up,” demanded a voice.

Koral moaned
and opened her eyes to see Gillock standing over her bed.

“Is there
something wrong?” she asked, groggily.

“Just get
changed into wood clothes and come downstairs.”

Slowly, she
pulled herself out of bed. Gillock was already gone so as quickly
as she could, she proceeded to get changed and go find the others.
Koral, her mind still swirling from the drinks, stumbled about the
palace, finding everyone gathered in the throne room. Judging by
the light outside, she had only been asleep for maybe an hour.
Koral wondered what could have happened in such a short time.
Everyone was huddled discussing something.

“I am here,”
she said yawning. “What is the problem?”

Brin looked at
her. “Probably you!”

“We do not have
time for your squabbling,” Elizanne snapped. The outburst stunned
Koral, and by her mother’s tone, she figured something bad was
going on.

The king looked
worried. “We have news of your brother. He appears to be travelling
south, or so the reports say.”

Koral could
feel the tension in the room, and it was having a sobering effect.
“What else is happening?” she asked her father, but it was Gillock
who answered.

“Your parents
know about my friend who is visiting and his true nature. They are
not pleased.”

Koral was
confused. “Why is this a problem?”

“Because of
what it could mean,” he responded.

That answer
just confused her more, but she decided not to press the issue.
Obviously, something more was going on here. Gillock and her mother
appeared tenser than they should be over an elf. Koral was going to
ask Brin if she knew anything but the look on her sister’s face
showed just as much confusion.

Suddenly,
Glavlin and Korben burst into the throne room. “Majesties! We are
under attack.”

“There are
creatures flying around the castle. They have not attacked yet but
you can bet they are going to,” stated Korben.

“My queen,”
Glavlin said, turning to Elizanne. “They are most likely minions of
Malena’s. You must protect the castle long enough for Koral and me
to leave for the Cyprian Forest.”

“NO,” shouted
Jeremy. “It is too soon for her to leave.”

“Jeremy,” said
Elizanne calmly. “She must leave now.”

“You are not
going to use magic are you,” stated Brin, frowning.

“She is very
powerful, princess. It is the only way,” replied Glavlin.

Brin turned as
if to make a comment to Glavlin but stopped short. His cloak was
down and she could finally see what he was. Not missing a beat, she
turned to face her father. “I cannot believe you are letting her
use magic. It is forbidden!” she yelled.

Elizanne,
ignoring her daughter’s outburst, hugged Jeremy. “I must go then if
we are to stop them,” she sighed. She turned, gave Koral a kiss
goodbye, and headed for the castle tower.

Jeremy watched
her leave, and then turned to Brin. “I do not expect you to
understand, Brin. You must trust me.”

“I do not think
I will ever trust you again,” she yelled and ran out of the
room.

Koral could not
believe her sister’s reaction. She was going to go after her when
she felt a hand on her arm. “We must get ready, princess,” came
Glavlin's voice.

“Yes, I will go
pack.”

“I will help,”
offered Jeremy.

Koral smiled at
her father. “I think you need to make sure mother is okay.”

Jeremy stopped
and looked at his daughter, hoping this was not going to be the
last time he would see her. “You are right.

Please be
careful and come home safely,” he said and hugged her.

“Do not worry
father. I will come home and Eric will be with me.”

Letting go of
her father, Koral headed to her room. There was not much time and
she needed to get organized.

Brin had
enough. Her father condoning her mother’s actions was the last
straw. She was running towards General Traug’s tent when she ran
into Payton and nearly knocked him down.

“You should not
be going outside, your highness,” he said. “There are weird
creatures circling the castle.”

“I am going to
General Traug’s tent and no creatures are going to stop me.”

Payton was
stunned by her forcefulness. “I can't let you leave unless it is
absolutely urgent.”

“My mother and
sister are magic users and my father knows and is letting it go on.
Right now, my mother is going to the tower to fight those creatures
with magic. The general must know what is happening so he can stop
it.”

The news of
magic did not shock Payton, but he feigned it anyway. “I will
escort you personally, my lady.”

“Good. Then let
us get moving.”

Payton took up
the lead, but he and the princess did not get very far. Ahead they
noticed the general and the two Magima heading for the castle.

“Payton, thank
goodness,” hollered the general over the noise. “What's
happening?”

Payton waited
until they were near to answer. “Queen Malena’s doing I
assume.”

“Malena,”
hissed Tarowen. She was the one creature of magic the Order had
wanted to get rid of, but weren't able to. Gillock had seen to
that.

“Yes, that is
what Gillock said as well,” stated Brin, ignoring Tarowen’s obvious
hatred for the woman. “There is also a more pressing issue,
general. My mother is going to use magic to fight off the
creatures.”

The general
said nothing. He had expected the queen would be protecting the
castle from the creatures. He was going to respond, but Luthien did
it for him.

“Unfortunately,
we cannot do anything about it right now, your highness. It is far
too dangerous. When the danger has passed, Tarowen and I will
approach your parents.”

“And what of
me?” asked Traug.

“When the
danger has passed, you will get us supplies and to report back to
the Tower. We still have our mission to complete.”

In that one
statement, Traug’s eyes were opened. It was becoming quite apparent
where the real power lay in his order. “As you wish.”

“Is there
someplace we can stay until this is over?” asked Tarowen.

“Yes,” answered
Brin. “Please follow me.”

“If it is all
right, I will take my leave. The guard may need me somewhere,”
stated Payton.

“That is fine,
Payton. And thank you.”

Payton bowed
and watched as the four headed towards Brin’s quarters. He had to
find Korben and let him know what was about to happen.

Elizanne had
made her way to the tower without incident. Once she moved into the
open, however, the creatures started to attack. Swooping in from
all directions, they attacked all at once. Expecting such an
attack, Elizanne already had a defence up. The creatures, which
resembled large bats, tried to scratch and bite at her but the
defence globe kept them at bay. Trying to think of what she could
do to counter these creatures she did not notice they had changed
their tactics. Instead of scratching, they began to push the globe.
Elizanne realized this was slowly moving her toward the edge of the
tower and decided to use small flashes of light to determine how
many she was dealing with. After she sent up the first few
Elizanne, was stunned at how many of the creatures there were.

Realizing the
seriousness of these attacks, Elizanne knew there was only one
thing she could do. It would allow the Magima to sense her full
power, but it was the only way. She started to recite a spell,
which appeared to send the bats into a fury. When it started
forming, she started to levitate. Slowly, her body began to glow in
a pale green colour, which appeared to distress the creatures
further. Her spell slowly spread out across the top of the castle
and without warning, a huge green fireball erupted taking all of
the creatures with it. Exhausted, Elizanne dropped to the tower
roof.