Children of the Sun and Moon (38 page)

They rejoined
the group, all who were sitting, drinking morning ale. They could
tell something was not right with Glavlin, but no one said a word.
It was something that would wait until this was done.

“Gillock has
told me you have practised and perfected the mist spell which is
necessary,” said Mordekai to Koral and Eric. They nodded yes it was
so, and he then shifted around so all could see him. “Good. The
spell to open the portal is simple, just three words, but I will
need all of you to say them for it to work. Each person must say it
individually. This will allow you to move through to the other
side. Now, if you will follow me, we shall head to the room which
contains the portal, and finish this quest.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Lakin looked
around. All of the Magima were split into two groups and sent
above, with Mekken and Vernia each in charge of one. This left
himself and Brin alone in the lower levels. He placed a spell
around the door of the dragon's cell, and also in the hallway where
the portal would appear. They were easy to overcome spells, but not
too easy. He had to make it appear as if he wanted them
stopped.

Next, he
created an alcove with a barrier which would hide himself and Brin,
where they could wait and watch until the right moment. Brin was
going to be the key. Lakin wasn’t certain how he was going to get
her in the state of mind he was going to need, but she was close.
The time they had spent together had been perfect. She was now
completely his. Lakin knew the sight of her siblings would make her
doubt, but he figured enough time had passed and he could convince
her to do anything. Then, and idea came to him.

Brin watched as
Lakin sent off the other Magima, and was quite happy when Vernia
and Mekken were told to leave with them. Vernia didn’t look
impressed, but bowed and moved off with her group in tow. When they
were alone, she watched him create the secret alcove where they
would hide, then cast the spells which would prevent her siblings
from finishing their quest. Lakin had explained to her the twins
would need to cast their spell, but not finish it. It was he who
needed to finish the final steps in order for the magic to not take
hold properly. Brin was anxious. She knew there was a part in this
for her, but just didn’t know what. Lakin finally finished his
preparations, and he looked to be in deep thought, when suddenly he
went stiff. His eyes turned completely white and his skin went
ashen. After what felt like forever, everything went back to
normal. Brin rushed to his side, for it appeared as if all his
strength had drained from him. Slowly she lowered him to the floor,
so he could rest for a moment.

“What
happened?” she asked fearfully.

“I had a
vision,” he said through gasping breaths. “It showed me the true
evil.” He then raised his head to look her in the eyes. “One of the
twins, I do not know which, they are the true evil. They are using
the others to achieve their goal of ruling all magic. When they
cast their spell to release the magic, the one who uses water is to
be destroyed.” He then sank down and fainted against the wall. His
breathing had returned to normal, so Brin was not worried. She was
bothered by the fact one of her siblings needed to be destroyed.
Koral was the one who used water, she had seen it herself.
Recalling all that had happened, Brin realized Lakin was right.
Koral had been secretive and could be manipulative as well. “I will
make sure it is done,” she whispered to Lakin, and went off to find
him a blanket. When she had moved off, Lakin smiled.

The room was a
decent size, but was clear of any objects save a mirror. It was the
size of an entire wall. Mordekai explained that this was a special
type of scrying device. It allowed those who spoke the spell to
move through it. It was designed so the wizards could move to the
homes of those who had submitted applications to the school, and
interview them.

“It could also
move armies through it,” stated Darly.

“Yes, and a few
nobles had attacked the school for that exact reason,” replied
Mordekai. “However, the magic in the school would know if it was
conquered, and would cause it to crack, rendering it useless.”

“How it be
knowin' that?” asked Drundle.

“If the school
were to come under attack, the device would be linked to two
wizards. If one should perish, then the other would release a spell
into the school letting it know to be on guard, so to speak. If
both perish, it would automatically place a single crack through
it. Easy enough for us to fix, should we hold the school,” answered
Mordekai.

“Now, to decide
who is actually going through,” said Gillock, to the shock of
everyone. They had all thought they would be going through.
“Dilmek, you are the only goblin coming with us. I need to rest of
you to keep guard.” Gillock stated. “We are opening this portal,
but you can bet a spell is ready at the other end to allow anyone
to pass back through. You need to watch for Magima, and Lakin.”

The goblins
grumbled their agreement.

“Glavlin and
Darly are needed to guard Koral and Eric,” continued Gillock.
“Grund and Drundle, you will come through, but stay near the
portal. We may come back through fighting.”

The dwarves,
not happy about being told to sit and wait, just nodded their
agreement.

“As for you
Maeve, you will be staying behind with Mordekai. The two of you
need to watch for an attack from the outside.”

Maeve was going
to protest, but Mordekai put a hand on her shoulder. “You will find
your answers soon enough,” he whispered to her. He then handed a
medium sized, unusual shaped stone to Gillock.

Gillock moved
in front of the wall. “It is time.” Then he turned and spoke the
words to activate the portal. Time appeared to slow, and to all it
felt like every second was a minute. When he finished his chanting,
the wall shimmered, and before them now was a hallway.

Glavlin and
Darly spoke the words, then with swords drawn and defensive spells
on their lips, moved through. They took up defensive positions on
either side of the hall, their eyes constantly moving. Gillock then
had the rest speak the spell, and they moved through. The dwarves
stopped just outside the portal, as was decided, the rest slowly
moved along. They had only taken a few steps when the first
attacked happened.

Gillock had
assumed Lakin would have had spells in place, guarding the area.
Bolts of electricity flew around the room, one catching Darly on
the arm. It just grazed her, but it left a smouldering line upon
her tunic. “A little more to the left and that may have hurt,” she
commented jokingly, clearly happy to be fighting again.

It took Gillock
a few moments, but he figured out the counter spell, and the bolts
dissipated. Dilmek told them there were many doors down there, but
the one at the end of the hall with the odd frame around it was
where they needed to go. Glavlin moved slowly away, casting feeler
spells to detect if magical defences were in the area, and only
sensed one around the door Dilmek had told them about. As he passed
one of the many doorways, he felt compelled to open one, and he
knew what lay within. He wanted desperately to stop and open the
door, but he knew the quest had to be completed first. Slowly he
pushed past.

Lakin, hiding
in his alcove, saw Glavlin hesitate. He had hoped the elves before
him, would have stopped to rescue the old king, but knew they would
take him eventually. It made him smile to see everything going
according to plan. Even Brin, standing next to him, appeared
prepared for what was needed. She had sucked in her breath when she
saw her brother and sister move into view, but that was all.

Cautiously,
they moved towards their destination. Everyone waiting for an
attack, but happy their presence had not yet been detected. When
they arrived at the door, Gillock again worked at a counter spell.
It took a bit longer than the last, but finally it was gone, and
they opened the door. All moved in quickly, shutting the door
behind them. Gasps were heard from all over as they all caught
sight of the beautiful dragon. The dragon pulled itself and stared
at the creatures before it.

Gillock moved
out in front to stand in a shaft of light. “Demosi,” he said, tears
coming to his eyes. “I did not know,” he started to say, but was
unable to finish.

The dragon
slowly lowered its head and sniffed. “You have seen many dinners,
old wizard,” it said, the voice booming through the cavern.

Gillock
laughed. “We have much to talk about, but first we need to free you
and need your help. We have a stone. Within it’s all the magic
Lakin had tried to siphon off from the creatures he destroyed. Only
the breath of a dragon can crack it and help us release it again
into the world. Will you help us?”

Demosi sat back
up and after many moments replied, “Yes.”

“We haven't a
moment to lose,” said Gillock, moving in a flurry of robe. “We will
set the stone down in front of the door, just on this side. Koral
and Eric stand outside of the door, spell ready. When you see a
black smoke come through the door, cast your spell. When it is
done, we will all move back to the portal, and the safety of the
school.”

Glavlin moved
and opened the door. Searching the hallway before him, he saw and
heard nothing. He gestured all was clear and he, Dilmek and Darly
moved out. Koral and Eric moved to the outside of the door,
standing just off so they weren’t burned. Gillock counteracted the
spell designed to stop the dragon’s fire from burning long, then
placed a spell around himself so he did not get burned.

Lakin and Brin
prepared themselves. It was almost time. Brin, having thought of
what spell she should use to destroy her sister, had it brimming on
her lips. Eric and Koral heard the dragon take a deep breath, and
started to prepare the spell. Within moments, they could feel the
heat, and see the smoke.

Quietly, they
chanted the spell. Koral created a ball of water and sent it
towards the smoke, Eric created a ball of fire to mix with the
water and create the mist. The spells mixed, and the mist began to
spread. Both knew they had to maintain the spell until it all
spread out; otherwise, it could be released chaotically. Darly and
Glavlin stared in awe at the mist as it began to form, neither one
saw Brin move out from her hiding place and send a bolt of energy
right at Koral.

The bolt hit
Koral, and she gasped, not sure as to what was happening. Slowly,
she spun and fell, but was caught by Glavlin before hitting the
floor. Darly and Dilmek grabbed Eric and pulled him back towards
the portal. Brin moved back into hiding but not before Glavlin and
Koral saw her. Gillock cast a spell shrinking Demosi, so he could
easily fly down the hall into the portal. Koral, laying facing the
hallway, suddenly realized she is now her dream.

Glavlin scooped
her up in his arms and ran towards the portal, tears streaming down
his face. As he was approaching the doorway, he felt the warmth
leave her body. Slowly, he stepped through the portal and back into
the room. He looked at everyone before him and lowered Koral to the
floor. “She's gone,” he says behind the tears.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Koral looked
around. She was in the realm of the Earth Mother, but it looked
different this time. Then she recalled seeing Brin, and realized
something bad had happened. “Do not despair, princess. All is not
what it appears to be,” came the Earth Mother’s voice, as she
appeared before Koral.

“I am dead, am
I not?”

“No, and yes,”
came the reply. “Your time is over, for now. But as I had said,
nothing is what it seems.” Then she disappeared, leaving Koral to
contemplate the meaning of those words.

The group stood
in stunned silence. Eric ran over to where Glavlin placed her and
knelt down. “No,” he repeated over and over.

“Who be the one
doin' this?” asked Grund. He and Drundle had come through last,
bringing an old and ragged elf with them, and the portal was again
a mirror.

“It was Brin,”
stated Glavlin, head down not realizing Gillock had saved his
father and he was now in the room.

Gillock gasped.
“I knew she had gone to the Tower, but I was not aware of how close
she and Lakin had gotten.”

“The true
betrayal has occurred,” came Mordekai's voice from behind. “Except
Gillock and Glavlin, I need you all to leave immediately.”

Everyone began
to protest, but Mordekai was not in the mood to negotiate. Eric
could not contain himself, his grief overwhelming. Mordekai placed
a sleeping spell on him, and ordered him carried to his room. He
then had the other two wizards at the school take the rest to the
dining hall to await him. Glomain was escorted to a room to have
his wounds attended and where he could recover.

Once the room
was clear, Mordekai moved towards Koral. “Please step away
Glavlin,” said the wizard softly.

The elf did as
asked and watched as Mordekai sprinkled a powder over her body and
start chanting. The spell was quite powerful and it filled the
room. When he was finished, he collapsed. Both moved to help
him.

“What was
that?” asked Glavlin.

“A preservation
spell,” whispered Mordekai, for he could not catch his breath
enough to speak louder.

“Let me
explain,” said Gillock. “You are too weak just yet.” Turning to
face the elf, Gillock continued. “What he means is Koral is now in
a type of suspended animation. Her part in this tale has only just
begun.”

“Let us go to
my study, I have much to explain,” said Mordekai, his strength
returning.

Slowly they
made their way towards the study when one of the wizards came
running up.

“The girl,
Maeve, is having some type of fit. We don't know what to do,” he
exclaimed.