Children of the Sun and Moon (36 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Korben stood
facing his friends, looking from face to face, settling on his
sisters. Elizanne smiled. They were in the king's study, just off
the throne room. Meechie had arrived moments earlier and Jeremy had
decided the study was a better place to perform the ceremony.

“Are you
ready?” asked the priest.

Korben nodded.
“What should I expect?”

“I have never
seen this spell performed, but from the readings it will be similar
to what you experienced the first time.”

Again, Korben
nodded, remembering how painful it was to have the bone structure
of his face altered. “We should get started. I will probably be
unconscious until morning.”

It was mid
evening, the sun beginning to set. It cast a golden red hue into
the study through a small window high up in the ceiling. Korben
sighed deeply, preparing for what was to come.

“Sit,” ordered
Meechie, pointing to a chair.

Korben moved to
sit and Elizanne tensed. She knew the magic needed to perform this
spell was immense, and worried for Meechie as much as for her
brother. Olrond and Jeremy moved back towards the door, wanting to
make sure neither caused a distraction, for what was sure to be a
complicated procedure.

Meechie began
chanting. Slow and deliberate the words came. It was clear, he
needed to say each word properly, and all watching did not want to
know what the consequences would be if he misspoke. For half an
hour, he chanted, and then his tone changed. The room began to
electrify with magic. Elizanne could feel it flowing through her,
calling out to her. It took all of her energy to keep it in check
and she regretted wanting to be in the room. Jeremy and Olrond
could feel it as well, penetrating their skin. Again Meechie's tone
changed, and so too did Korben. His face began to shimmer, and then
it shifted and looked like a rippling pool of water. Then, he
screamed.

The pain
coursed through Korben and went to his very core. His own magic,
small as it was, welled up in response to the spell being cast.
Last time he had tried to fight it, this time he knew better. His
magic needed to blend with Meechie's. He was nowhere near as
powerful as his sister was, but he did possess basic abilities. If
it were not for these abilities, he may not have survived the first
time. After another half an hour, Meechie stopped chanting. Moments
later, Korben stopped screaming and slumped forward. Slowly Korben
fell to the floor, as did Meechie, exhausted from the ordeal.
Jeremy reached out and grabbed Meechie, who stated he was fine,
just tired. Elizanne went over to Korben and rolled him over.
There, unconscious on the floor, was a man who resembled her father
so greatly, it made her gasp. Jessup had returned. They gathered
him up and took him to his chambers, making sure one would watch
over him until morning, rotating every few hours. Meechie was given
a room to recover in as well. Elizanne was elated. Her brother,
back to her, but there was a burning question to answer. What would
they do now?

The dawn came
but instead of the usual brilliant colours, there was only a deep
red. Every villager in the Central Lands took it as a bad omen.
Elizanne stood in her bedroom window and knew what it really meant.
Her children had passed into the Void. She assumed the colouring
was thanks to the Goddesses, who were attempting to prepare the
people. Elizanne sighed. She could sense the unease in the village
below. She and Jeremy were going to have to go out among the people
and ease their fears. “And introduce them to Jessup,” she muttered
to herself. Moving away from the window, she changed out of her
bedclothes and went to her brother’s room.

Jessup had
slept soundly, and no ill effects appeared to have occurred from
the spell. When Elizanne arrived, he was eating his morning meal
with Olrond and Jeremy. Upon seeing, him her breath caught and a
smile crossed her lips.

“I really
should have known it was you all this time,” she stated, coming
into the room. The three stopped eating and looked at her. “Your
favourite story as a child was the one about the dragon saving the
world. His name was Korben. You had the same eye and hair colour as
well. Funny how this comes to me now.”

Jessup smiled,
remembering the story. “I think the original spell created a bit of
confusion with people who knew me, whenever they were around me.
You may have recognized the name but could never place it.”

“Yes, that is
exactly what the original spell was designed to do,” stated
Meechie's voice from the door. “How are you feeling today?”

“Hungry, and a
bit of pain, but nothing I can't handle,” answered Jessup.

“So what's the
plan now?” asked Olrond.

“Eric and Koral
have entered the Void,” said Elizanne. “It is only a matter of time
before they finish their quest. The sun rose a deep red, a sign.
The villagers are going to need us to explain what is
happening.”

Jeremy rose.
“Then I suggest we all get ready and go out into the village. We
need to explain Korben disappearing, and Jessup reappearing as
well.” He turned to Olrond. “General, I would like you to accompany
us as well.”

“Of course,
your highness,” he replied.

Moray was
getting impatient. He had hoped Lakin would have already begun
taking control of this mortal world, but instead he appeared quite
content to sit in his study going through old books. Back and forth
he paced in his room, becoming more and more agitated. Glancing out
his window, he noticed it was well after midnight hour, and felt
enough was enough. He threw open his door and stormed to Lakin's
study. Without knocking, he burst into the room to find Lakin
alone.

“I have had
enough of you wizard!” he bellowed, making sure to keep his voice
elven. “Why haven't you begun putting your plans into effect?”

Lakin sat back
and stared at the demon. Moray had been there for almost a week
now, and with each passing day becoming more irritable. “Koral and
Eric have just this day passed into the Void. I was just going to
head down to begin preparations for their arrival.”

Moray looked
confused. “Arrival?”

Lakin grinned.
“They need the breath of a dragon to complete their task. I have
the only living specimen. A portal will be created to bring them
into the lower levels. When they are in the room with the dragon,
we will change the outcome of this prophecy.” He then closed up the
books on his desk and again looked at Moray. “Would you care to
accompany me?”

Moray nodded
his agreement, and followed Lakin out. Lakin knew it was not a good
idea to have the demon in the lower levels at this time. There were
preparations to be made and his attention would be elsewhere. There
was a chance the demon could take advantage of the situation. Not
wanting to dwell on the demon, but focus on the task at hand, Lakin
pushed the thought aside and headed to the library, hoping Brin and
Vernia would both be there. He was not disappointed.

They were
seated at the same table, but opposite ends. Books piled between
them. It appeared they were searching everything elven. “I
apologize for my interruption, but the time has come,” he said
approaching them.

Brin slowly
stood. “So, they are at the end of their quest,” she stated,
coldly. Lakin was shocked at her tone, and he smiled.

“Yes, my dear.
They are going to attempt to break into our lower levels and free
our prisoners.”

Her face turned
to iron. “Then we must prepare. They are already going to return
magic; we cannot allow them to free those who could be their
allies!”

Vernia, who had
been watching the interaction between Lakin and Brin closely,
turned her gaze to the elf. She caught her breath, not wanting to
let on she had figured out what it was about this elf which
bothered her. He was a demon in disguise. Moray was elated and he
had slipped, allowing his eyes to glow slightly during the
discussion. He caught himself, but Vernia had already seen. She
quickly averted her eyes, hoping he had not noticed and turning her
attention back to Lakin.

“My lord,
perhaps we should be on our way,” she said, her voice composed.

Lakin, who had
finished his discussion with Brin, nodded. “Yes, we must get below
and make sure we are ready when they arrive.”

They moved out
of the library, Lakin pausing to converse with passing Magima.
Those above ground needed to be ready for anything. They passed by
a window and Lakin paused. The sun was rising, but it was like
nothing he had seen before. The sky was a blood red, a sign from
the Goddesses.

Vernia gasped.
“My lord, perhaps I should send a message to Duke Dubar. I am sure
he and the people there will be worried about this sunrise.”

“Yes,” said
Lakin absently. “Make sure he understands this is not a bad
omen.”

Vernia moved
off to send a message to the duke. She also planned a detour into
Lakin's study. Malena would want to know what was going on at the
Tower.

When the mirror
cleared, and Malena appeared before her, Vernia was taken aback.
“Is something wrong, your highness?” she asked.

Malena, looking
very pale and weak, smiled. “Koral and Eric have arrived. Their
passing into the Void caused a ripple throughout. All of us here
were temporarily stunned by it. I will be fine.” Pulling herself
into a more imposing posture, she continued. “I assume you are
contacting me because Lakin is up to something?”

“Yes. He knew
Eric and Koral were now in the Void and is beginning his
preparations for their arrival.”

Malena sat
back. “He is going to allow them to arrive, but something must
happen after they release the mist to create chaos. Do you have any
idea how he plans to do that?”

“I believe he
is going to use Brin. She will distract one of them long enough to
ensure they do not achieve this together.”

“Ah yes, that
would be quite clever of him. Neither of them knew their sister has
betrayed the family.” She fell silent, clearly contemplating what
was about to occur. “I want you to be ready Vernia. When the Void
collapses, I will transport you here.”

Vernia smiled.
“Yes, my queen.” She bowed and the mirror clouded over. Suddenly
Vernia was not feeling so helpless anymore, and saw a bright future
ahead.

Malena stood
from her throne, and slowly walked across to the window. She had
partially lied to Vernia. It was true, the ripple of their passing
into the Void had weakened her, but there had been another one
earlier which had been far more intense. The one Eric and Koral
created was obvious, she could sense theirs and Gillock’s magic
throughout it. However, the first one was a mystery. It felt as if
her own magic had looped back on her. Now was not the time to
ponder the odd ripple, but she knew it would require her full
attention once the Void was down.

She stared out
the window, contemplating what was to come. For so long her only
view had been the rocky terrain of the Void. Soon she would see
forest, rivers, and mountains again. Patience was needed now. There
was no way of knowing how long it would be until the twins
completed their task.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Mordekai
watched the group emerge from the archway. He watched as they
realized where they were, and their reaction to seeing the walls of
the school. They all walked with determination towards the school,
knowing their quest was almost over. He sent a spell down to create
a door for them to pass through, and then made his way down to the
greeting area. By the time he arrived, he could feel the group
entering the school. It would be a matter of moments for them to
walk to where he was. He was anxious and nervous, two feelings he
had not experienced in quite some time. Knowing now was not the
time to second-guess what was to come he pushed the thoughts
aside.

Everyone was in
awe of the school. It was a massive structure which looked quite
ominous from the exterior, but once they were inside, their
thoughts changed. Never had any of them seen such architecture.
Beautiful statues surrounded the entryway and as they moved further
in, they saw the walls covered in beautiful paintings and
tapestries.

“This is the
greeting area,” stated Gillock. “It was designed to showcase what
the school was capable of. Not only did wizards, enchanters,
witches and others with abilities train and learn about magic here,
but they were also allowed to express their creativity. Everything
you see before you was created by a student or teacher.”

Darly was
amazed. “I know we elves have amazing artists among us, but I was
not aware humans were capable of creating such beauty.”

Gillock
laughed, and the sound startled them all. “Some of these were made
by elves, and one of the teachers here had been an elf. He inspired
many artists.”

“He also
annoyed many humans,” came a gruff voice from the far end of the
room.

They all turned
to see a short, round man standing before them. He was in a blue
robe that had clearly seen better days. His blue eyes were playful
and his grin infectious. Before they knew it, all were smiling. All
but the goblins. They had been afraid to enter the school and now
wondered what was in store for them.

“Mordekai!”
exclaimed Gillock, embracing the man.

“It is good to
see you again, my old friend,” remarked Mordekai, his voice showing
how emotional this reunion was. “Come, you must be tired and
hungry. I have had rooms prepared for you so you may clean up. We
have much to discuss so if you do not mind, I would like you all to
join me in the dining hall when you are ready.” He took them up a
set of spiral stairs at the far end of the greeting area, and led
them down a hallway to their rooms.

Everyone had
been given separate quarters, except the goblins. Anticipating
their unease, Mordekai had seen fit to give them a larger room
which they could all share. Each room had an area off to the side
containing a large tub to bathe in, as well as an area to prepare.
All took no time undressing and bathing in the warm waters. It was
clear the water was maintained magically, it never got cold. Koral
added some oils she had found on the side of the tub, and suddenly
felt at ease. No more tired, aching limbs. When she finally pulled
herself out, she felt refreshed, and quite hungry.