Children of the Sun and Moon (23 page)

“What is it?”
stated her annoyed voice.

“I’m just
checking in with you, my queen,” he responded.

It amused
Malena to hear him refer to her as queen. Not wanting to let him
know she was aware of his new bedmate, she went along with it.

“I am sorry to
snap at you, Lakin. I am afraid all of this has begun to take a
toll on me. Is there something to report?”

“We sent the
goblin back to his friends. I thought it wise to have another set
of ears among the group.”

This news
annoyed her, but she hid it. “That is very wise. If there is
nothing else, I must take my leave. I need rest.”

Lakin bowed
low. “No, there is nothing else. Get some rest; you will need all
of your strength for the coming changes.”

Malena did not
say another word, and the mirror clouded over. Lakin wondered if
she suspected something, then brushed the thought from his mind. If
she had, he was certain something would have been said. Smiling to
himself, he headed back to his room. Luckily, Brin was still
asleep. He did not wish to explain why he was up and about in the
middle of the night and was glad to see she had not moved.

Several days
passed before Lakin finally sent for Vernia. The long wait bothered
her, but she knew it was his way of controlling her still. Instead
of knocking at the door of his study, she just burst in. Brin, of
course, was with him.

“Please excuse
us, Brin. We have things to discuss.”

Brin stood and
left without a word. Vernia noted she used to be the exact same
way.

“You wished to
speak with me?” she asked, letting him hear the annoyance in her
voice.

“Yes. Has our
little friend found his companions yet?”

“No, he was
injured so he has not moved towards them. He is close to Keenley,
though, so he may just wait them out.”

Lakin was
obviously annoyed by the news. Vernia figured he had hoped the
creature would have run off to find its friends. Conveniently, she
failed to mention the goblin had set markers about, letting his
friends know where he would be making camp. She only hoped he would
not sense her deception.

“Is that all?”
she snapped.

“Yes. But let
me know the moment the goblin finds the group.”

Vernia just
snorted a response then stormed out.

Lakin watched
her go, and when the door shut, Brin materialized in her place.

“She is not so
powerful. She did not even know I was here,” she stated smugly.

“Do not
underestimate her. She was annoyed with me, and it distracted her.
If she were on her guard, you would probably be a pile of ash.”

“One should
always be on their guard, especially in the place you feel most
confident,” was Brin’s response.

Lakin smiled.
Brin was coming along quite nicely. “Yes, that is very true. Do not
worry, my princess. The prophecy will soon be filled and then you
and I can rework this land into what it should be.”

Brin was going
to respond, but a sense of dread overtook her.

Lakin noticed
the change in her stance. “What is it?” he asked.

“Eric and
Koral. The other day I noticed I could not sense them, but now I
can. I wonder what happened?”

Lakin was
disturbed by this comment. He had no idea she was linked to her
siblings, nor that she was aware something had happened to
them.”

“They are
coming into their powers. You may feel things off and on for the
next few weeks. Are they still with the dwarves?”

“Yes. I do not
think it will be for much longer though. They both appear
agitated.”

The remark
shocked Lakin. Not only could she sense them, but feel what they
are feeling. “Have you always been able to sense your brother and
sister?”

“Yes. It is
funny though, I never sensed the magic within them.”

“Perhaps you
did but did not want to believe it so you made it into something
else.”

Brin thought on
that. “Yes, perhaps you are right. Perhaps I did know all along and
just wanted to pretend it was not true. After all, I tried to
ignore it in myself.”

Lakin heard the
sorrow in her voice. He may have turned her to his cause, but it
was still going to be tough to get her to kill her brother and
sister.

“What would you
like to do today?” he asked, wanting to change the subject.

“I would like
to practice some more. I still do not feel very strong.”

“If that's what
you wish than that's what we will do.” Lakin got up from his seat
and extended his arm for her to take. “Let's be off to the
chambers.”

Brin smiled,
happy to have someone in this world care about her.

Vernia had
indeed sensed Brin’s presence while she was speaking to Lakin, but
thought it best to keep it to herself. Under her own spell, she
watched as Lakin escorted Brin to the lower levels. They would be
down there for the rest of the day, she was certain. It would give
her plenty of time to go through Lakin’s study. Something wasn’t
sitting right about everything, and she needed to figure out what
it was.

Slowly Vernia
made her way back into the study. She opened the door and moved in.
It was apparent Lakin hadn’t put up any warding spells, but then
why would he. No one here would dare question his methods, or go
through his things. He had nothing to fear in this place. Of
course, Brin had warned him to be cautious, especially in the
tower. Vernia started with his desk, but found only the expected
papers. Books on the shelves were real, no spells of any kind. Then
she moved near the mirror he used to communicate with Malena, and
sensed something odd.

In behind it
was another bookshelf, this one contained the exact things Vernia
did not want to see. There were books, all written by Lakin, maps
of every corner of the Central Lands and beyond. The books
contained Lakin's exact plans for the entire world of Melarandra.
It all appeared to revolve around a magic school and Holison.
Slowly she read the books. The more she read, the more worried she
became. Vernia decided to contact Malena and let her know.

“What is it
now, Lakin?” came Malena’s annoyed voice.

“It's not
Lakin,” responded Vernia.

“Then what do
you want?” Malena asked.

“I have found
some of Lakin’s things. His plans go deeper than what I ever
thought.”

“What do you
mean?” asked Malena, concern creeping into her voice.

“Apparently
Lakin has something against all the wizards. He wants to find a
school of magic, take it over and bring demons to help. I don't
know what it means, but I do know he has a plan all worked out.
Once he is in charge of this school, he plans to take over the rest
of Melarandra and hand it over to the creatures from Holison.”

Malena sank
further into her chair. “This is ill news.”

“Do you know
what he is talking about?”

Malena nodded.
“The school is a place for all beings of magic to go. Bad or good,
they may attend but are not allowed to do harm once inside. If
Lakin tries to take it by force, the results could be
catastrophic.”

“How will he
even be able to find this school? None exist here.”

“One does
exist, but it is not on your plane. It is on mine.”

Vernia was
stunned. She had suspected Malena was in the Void, but now knew for
certain. “The Wizards School.”

“Yes,” said
Malena. “When the twins succeed, the school will again be visible.
There are only a few wizards within it now and although they are
quite strong, they will not be able to fight off an attack. If
Lakin can get enough wizards trained, there will be no stopping
him.”

“And with Brin
at his side, he will have a royal claim to the Central Lands,”
stated Vernia.

“If the twins
succeed, we are doomed. If they do not succeed, we are also doomed.
It is quite a predicament,” said Malena, sighing. “It was my dream
once to take over the school and destroy those who had put me here.
Now it would appear I am going to have to protect them.”

Vernia felt
saddened for Malena. It was not until that very moment she realized
who Malena really was, and it made her heart ache. “Being trapped
for nearly forty years must have taken its toll,” she said
calmly.

Malena looked
at the woman, wondering how it was she knew. The spell Gillock cast
made it so no one knew her true identity. “Yes, it has. All these
years I have done nothing but plan the demise of those who put me
here. Make them suffer as I have. Now that must change.”

“We must do
what is best for Melarandra, Malena. What can we do?”

“My deal with
Lakin is now void. He has taken my plan and turned it into
something beyond even him. He does not realize what will happen
should he take this action against the school. I will try and talk
to Mordekai. He and I may be enemies, but in the end, we want the
same thing. Magic returned.”

The mirror went
dark and Vernia was alone again. She quickly piled up all of
Lakin’s things as she had found them and move to leave. The door
started to open so she quickly made herself invisible. Lakin and
Brin moved into the room, so while the door was open Vernia moved
herself out. The only thing she heard was Lakin stating, “and now
our deal is sealed with this kiss.” For a moment Vernia wanted to
move back into the room, but decided against it. She felt she was
taking too many chances this day so she made her way back to her
room. Her sleep was filled with horrible visions of other world
beings taking over her precious lands.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The night was
warm and the moon was so bright it lit up the sky. The view over
the Sea of Arran was breathtaking. The stars were out in full
force, making the sea glitter. The sight amazed Eric. Many flowers
were in full bloom and it was clear summer was beginning. He hadn’t
realized how long he had been underground, and was glad to be
outside once again. Being cooped up inside the mines for so long
had taken its toll on the young prince. While everyone else had no
problems falling asleep, rest eluded him. His thoughts still
lingered to the fighting and power he had witnessed while studying
the book. It had been a terrifying but exhilarating experience, and
he wanted it to happen again. The power he felt just before losing
consciousness had been overwhelming, but it was something he needed
to feel again. Sighing, he closed his eyes and focused on the
images he had seen, hoping sleep filled with dreams of powerful
magic would come to him soon.

Koral found
sleep easily, but it was not a sound one. Her dreams filled with
questions and images she did not wish to see. Flashing from the
births she had witnessed in her dreams earlier to the deaths of
those she travelled with caused her to toss and turn in her sleep.
Everything in her dream appeared very real, as if it was a warning
of what could happen to everyone should she and Eric fail. One foul
image after another grabbed hold of her soul, then suddenly
everything took on a new shape and Koral realized she was
somewhere, which felt eerily familiar.

It was a
clearing, surrounded by the most beautiful and exotic trees she had
ever seen. It was odd, but somehow she was aware it was a dream,
and realized at once that this must be of some significance.

“What is this
place?” she asked herself.

“You are in my
realm, princess,” came a female voice from the trees.

Koral, not
knowing who, or what, was going on, felt frightened. It was a
feeling which quickly diminished once she saw a figure step out
from the tree line. “Who are you?” asked Koral.

The figure
moved closer to Koral, but she did not back away. The woman had a
calming effect on the princess. She was tall and slim, with amazing
silver hair and eyes that were grey like a sky before a storm. “Do
you not know me?” she asked.

“You are the
Earth Mother,” stated Koral, confused. She had indeed known who
this woman was. “Why am I here?”

“You are here
because I needed to speak to you directly. You are becoming quite a
powerful wizard, princess, and it has caused me some concern.” She
paused for a moment, as if waiting to see if Koral would react to
the news. “You see,” she continued, “those who possess magic from
the earth are usually woodland creatures, not human. It has created
a curiosity in me, for I do not know how it is you came to possess
these powers, or why it is so strong within you.”

“So a human
having these powers disappoints you, is that it,” stated Koral with
a ferocity in her voice which scared her a little.

The Earth
Mother smiled, and again Koral felt calm. “No, but it is a problem.
Humans who have powerful magical abilities often become greedy. I
have not sensed this in you, yet, but your brother has it seeping
from every pore. I am afraid should he sway you, your powers may be
used for personal gain, and not for the earth as they are
intended.”

Koral became
confused. “What do you mean?”

“He is only
concerned with going down in history as a great warrior. He does
not truly care about this prophecy and what it may do to the world,
as you know it. It is important you do understand this. When magic
is released, sacrifices may have to be made. Are you willing to die
to protect me?”

The statement
confused Koral even more. She had not thought of her abilities in
this way, and it frightened her. “I do not know if I can do that,”
she said.

The earth
mother nodded. “That is good, for no one can answer the question
truthfully until they are placed in that situation.”

Koral became
worried. “What am I to do? I did not ask to have these powers, but
I do not want to be rid of them. I feel as if I had a hole in me,
and it is finally filled. Does that make sense?”

“Yes, more than
you realize. Just be careful, princess, for many dangers are ahead
of you. Trust in Gillock but be aware, he hides things from you.
Most importantly, watch your brother. He does not realize his
thoughts yet, but all it will take is the wrong influence.”