Into the Dark (The Conjurors) (14 page)

    The city was wildly different from the towns she had seen on Earth. The biggest buildings were white, laid out roughly in the shape of a giant horseshoe. The path in front of the buildings was constructed of flagstones in many colors. Creatures of all shapes and sizes walked on the path, and the stones lit up when they were stepped on. Inside the horseshoe was a large grassy area where children played games. A tree-lined path went straight through the middle, leading to the biggest of the buildings at the top of the horseshoe.

    The rest of Silva was sprawled behind the main buildings that made up the horseshoe. This part of the city seemed completely unplanned and crammed full of buildings of every shape and size. Even the streets were unusual, twisting and turning in ways that seemed to make no sense at this distance. It was nothing like the grid of north-south and east-west of streets in downtown Oakland that she had grown up in. Logically, she thought this hodgepodge should look messy, but instead, the city had a unique charm, and all of the buildings seemed to somehow be in harmony with each other. She felt nervousness prickle in her stomach as she tried to imagine navigating the labyrinthine paths.

    It was awe inspiring, but she felt intimidated. In this huge city full of people who used magic every day, where would she fit in? Everyone already had their own friends and families. Did she leave her life on Earth behind only to be even more alone on the Globe? She could only hope that with time, it would feel like home, full of people who loved her.

As they walked closer to the city, she was relieved to see that at least her appearance wouldn’t stand out. Conjurors came in all colors, shapes, and sizes, and everyone wore different styles of clothing, from long robes to dresses made of leaves. Valerie noticed that Cyrus wore a t-shirt and jeans, like guys on Earth. She was relieved that her own jeans and sweater wouldn’t look strange – other than being a little dirty from her trek through the tunnel beneath the pyramid. While many of the Conjurors could pass for human, she also noticed that animals, fairies, and a variety of other creatures all talked, walked, and played together. She would blend right in.

    The trio reached the multi-colored path, and Valerie stepped on it, smiling as a red stone glowed under her foot. She couldn’t help jumping from stone to stone, watching all of the colors light up.

    “I made this path light up, ya know. It used to be regular stones, but I charmed them to glow when they’re stepped on. I’m up for an award by the city building commission next month,” Cyrus said. He tried to sound casual, but she could tell it was a big deal.

    “That’s unbelievable! How did you do it?”

    “I’ll show you my power tomorrow. It’s pretty cool.”

    They reached the first of the buildings that made up the horseshoe. Up close, Valerie could see that each of the buildings was unique in design, but they were all white and had flags with different pictures and symbols on them.

    Valerie heard the soft clop of Azra’s hooves against the stones as she came to stand next to her.
These white buildings with the flags that make up the horseshoe are the guilds here on the Globe,
Azra explained. Noticing Valerie’s confused expression, she added,
Guilds are much like different professions. We have the guilds for acting, writing, music, and language – to name a few.

    “I’m a craftsman at the Society of Imaginary Friends guild. After I moved to Silva for school, I became an apprentice here. That’s when I became your imaginary friend,” Cyrus added. “And when you have a chance to get settled, I’ll take you around to see all the guilds so that you can decide if you want to apprentice somewhere too.”

    “Is that how people earn money here?”

   
In Arden, we trade services, but we don’t use money. Other countries on the Globe use money though, like Elsinore, the country to our North. But you won’t have to worry about basic necessities, like food and clothing, as you did on Earth, Valerie. Here magic provides those things very easily. So we have more time to do what we truly love. I hope you’ll find something you’re passionate about here, and that it will be so enjoyable that it won’t feel like work.

    Valerie smiled. She already had a few ideas. “What about school?”

    “Little kids go to school, but once you apprentice somewhere, you take all your classes at your guild,” Cyrus explained.

The idea reminded Valerie of going to college – something she didn’t think she would have to deal with for years. She felt her anxiety return as she tried to imagine figuring everything out for herself, without having teachers and guidance counselors to tell her what to do.

She was distracted from her worries as she noticed that the sun was starting to sink in the sky. Her eyes drooped – it had been a long day. Then they flew open wide. “Hey! What’s the sun doing here? We don’t even revolve around a sun on the Globe, right?”

   
It’s an illusion. Really, the stars that are sucked into the black hole provide all of the light and energy we could ever need. But when the Globe was created, we decided to program the weather to be similar to Earth, with summer, fall, winter and spring. We also decided to include a sun that gives us a 24 hour day. It was hard enough to leave Earth, so we tried to make the Globe as much like home as we could. And I would like to help you feel at home here, too, Valerie.

    Valerie was glad that the Globe wouldn’t be too different from Earth. She couldn’t imagine never seeing another sunrise.

   
I can see you’re tired. And who wouldn’t be, after such a trip! The dorm for the Society of Imaginary Friends guild, where you’ll be living, is around the corner. Dulcea, the dorm matron, will make sure that you have everything you need. She can be strict, but, as Cyrus will tell you, she has a soft heart and will make you feel at home. The two of you have much in common. You’re welcome to stay there as long as you like. If later you would like to move to the dorm of your guild, we can arrange a transfer.

    “Trust me, you won’t want to transfer. Everyone knows it’s the best dorm in Silva. Naturally, because it’s where I live,” Cyrus said with a grin. “I’ll be two floors up from you, so you’ll see me all the time.”

   
I’ll leave you here in Cyrus’ capable hands. But never hesitate to call me if you need me. Think of me in your mind, and I will know how to find you. And please stop by to talk any time. I work in the building at the top of the horseshoe,
Azra said, nodding toward the biggest of the white guild buildings.
It had tall white pillars and a domed roof, and reminded Valerie a little of the White House. She couldn’t imagine going inside without everyone wondering what she was doing there.
Go to the front desk and ask for me – everyone knows where I am.

    “Bye, Azra. And thank you.”

   
Remember, anything you ever need.
Valerie felt safe and at peace looking into Azra’s dark, kind eyes. Then Azra touched Valerie’s shoulder softly with her nose before she left. She smelled like lilies, Valerie realized, as Azra disappeared down the path.

Cyrus led Valerie further down the lighted path in front of the guilds, and then stopped near one of the buildings. “This is the Society of Imaginary Friends guild,” he announced proudly.

Her jaw dropped. The building looked like every kid’s dream. Giant waterslides extended from some of the windows and splashed down into a moat. Valerie could hear screams of laughter peal from inside. “Those slides look like so much fun. I can’t believe you get to work in a real castle!”

“You should see the inside. There are secret passages, trampolines, a room made of candy – almost anything you can imagine. I’ll have to give you a tour soon.”

Valerie was so absorbed by looking back over her shoulder at the castle that she didn’t see the man in front of her carefully sweeping the path. As a result, she tripped over him, falling to the ground. The man grunted in pain.

    “Oh sir, I’m so –” Valerie began her apology, but she choked on her words when he turned to her and stared into her eyes. His stormy eyes were blue-gray with flecks of gold in them, somehow reminding her of the sea during a storm. His wild brown hair was streaked with gray, and he looked as if he hadn’t cut it in years.

    “Watch where you tread!” the man snarled. Power hummed from him so intensely that Valerie could feel it her in her blood, like she had at Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid.

She couldn’t even open her mouth to finish her apology. He was still staring in her direction, but he didn’t quite meet her eyes. His gaze seemed unfocused. She suddenly understood – he couldn’t see her. He was blind.

    Cyrus quickly helped Valerie to her feet. He seemed nervous around the man too. “Sorry, Oberon. We’ll get out of your way,” Cyrus said as he hurried Valerie down the street.

    “What’s his story?” she asked as soon as they were out of earshot.

    “Oberon is one of the founders of the Globe, like Azra. He’s the one who set up the weather system. He has powers over the sun, earth, and sea. No one knows the specifics, but he is one of the most powerful Conjurors of all time.”

    “What’s he doing sweeping the sidewalk, then?”

    Cyrus’ face became very serious. “For many years, he was a spy for the Fractus.  He believed that Conjurors should be able to move back and forth between Earth and the Globe whenever they wanted. He gave the Fractus some pretty important information, supposedly. But then maybe his conscience bothered him or something, because he confessed everything. His punishment is that he can’t use his magic for 100 years, and during that time he has to serve the city as groundskeeper.”

Valerie had paid so much attention to Cyrus’ story that she hadn’t noticed that they had left the horseshoe of guilds, and were now walking through the twisted streets of the city. But the strangeness of the buildings finally demanded her attention. Never on Earth would a cottage stand next door to an L-shaped skyscraper – especially when the skyscraper was completely filled with water and mermaids swam around inside. It reminded her of a giant aquarium.

Part of her wanted to stop to marvel at every new feat of architecture, but Cyrus pulled her along until they stopped at a building in the shape of a tall cylinder. Every floor was painted a different shade of blue, and a silver staircase spiraled up the side all the way to the roof.

“What do you think of the Imaginary Friends’ dorm?” Cyrus asked with a grin.

“I get to live here? No way!” Valerie exclaimed, thrilled. Then she glanced doubtfully at long, winding staircase. “What floor am I on? This could be quite a climb at the end of every day.”

    “Check it out,” Cyrus said, leading her to the base of the stairs. Suddenly, she felt the floor beneath her rise and without warning, she and Cyrus were swiftly gliding up the stairs on a small platform. She smiled as a breeze made her hair stream out behind her.

“These platforms are inside most buildings in Arden. You steer it with your mind, by thinking about where you want to go, like when you traveled to the Globe in the bubble,” Cyrus explained.

“Let me try,” Valerie said, and concentrated. She steered the little platform up and down the stairs effortlessly. “It’s so simple!”

“The best magic always is,” Cyrus announced authoritatively.

 “Stop at the 6
^th
floor so you can check in with Dulcea,” Cyrus said, and she was proud that they came to a smooth stop at a tall wood door with a giant brass “6” nailed to it.

The door opened automatically to a scene that looked like a picture from a storybook come to life. At one end of the room was a giant bed with a pink canopy. The wallpaper that went around the entire circumference of the room was decorated with lollipops, cookies, and candies of every kind. The sweet smell of chocolate filled the room, making Valerie’s mouth water. Giant pillows were in the center of the room, and plopped right in the middle was a woman with golden ringlets who was popping candy in her mouth as she read a book.

She looked up as they arrived with wide, innocent eyes. She reminded Valerie of a grown-up version of Goldilocks. “You must be Valerie! I’m Dulcea! Welcome!” she said in a happy, bubbly voice. “Have a chocolate.”
    “Thanks,” she said, feeling overwhelmed by Dulcea’s energy. She sank down on a pillow next to her.