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.”
Koral was going to ask her about Gillock when she heard the most beautiful song. Oddly enough, she found herself singing along with it, as if she had known it all her life. The Earth Mother and the surroundings faded from view, and all Koral knew was love and overwhelming happiness.
Eric awoke to the sound of yelling. It startled him at first, for the sun was not even beginning to show itself, and then he realized they were calling to Koral. He jumped out of his bed and ran to where his sister had made her camp. Where she should have been sleeping was an unusual tree. “What is going on?” he asked.
“I don't know,” answered Gillock. “It appears your sister is again talking with the Earth Mother.”
“Why am I not unconscious again?” he asked.
“I don't know that either, Eric.”
“What are we going to do?” Eric asked, panic starting to creep into his voice.
“We wait until she changes back. There is nothing else we can do.”
Eric fell to his knees. “I will stay here until she changes back.”
Gillock was going to say something, but decided to let the prince be. He needed to figure out why Koral had again turned into a tree so he left Eric and went over to Glavlin. “Is the book safe?” he asked the elf.
“Yes, she did not take it this time.”
Gillock sighed. “I don't have an explanation for this.”
“Maybe the Earth Mother sought her out this time. What does it all mean?”
Gillock saw the concern in the elf king’s eyes. “I don't know, but if the Earth Mother has called to her, there must be a reason for it. All we can do is wait, and ask Koral.”
Glavlin nodded. “Yes, wait,” he said with a sigh.
“Eric is going to stay with his sister until she comes out of it.
Until then I suggest we just tell everyone not to bother packing up. We must all stay here until this is over.”
Again, Glavlin just nodded his response, and then he moved off towards the others to inform them of this decision.
Eric grew weary of keeping watch over his sister. It had only been a few hours, but her change had happened in the middle of the night, and Eric was exhausted. He closed his eyes for a moment, but quickly opened them again. A bright light shone in his face, and lying in front of him was Koral. He moved over and cradled his sister in his arms.
“Eric,” she said her voice hoarse.
“Yes, what happened?” he asked.
“She called to me. I cannot ignore her when she calls.” That was all he heard for the rest of her speech slurred and she fell asleep in his arms. Carefully, he placed her back under the blankets to sleep for as long as she needed, then he moved off to find Gillock and let him know Koral was back.
“What is it?” asked Gillock.
Glavlin had suddenly become stiff and silent. “Koral has been returned to us,” he stated. Within moments, Eric came running up to them.
“She is back,” he said, out of breath from sprinting to their location.
“Yes, I know,” said Gillock, but he did not elaborate as to how he knew. “Is she awake?”
“No, she told me the Earth Mother called to her, then fell asleep. I put her under her blanket them came over here. How did you know she was back?”
Gillock ignored the question, and went back to the notes he had been reading. Something was going on with the princess, and he feared to know what it was.
He read and reread his notes, all thoughts he had during her last change, and kept coming to the same conclusion. The Earth Mother needed Koral, but as to why he was not sure. It was a need, which was important enough to speak with Koral directly, something that never, happened
with humans. Gillock feared what it could mean, and hoped the Earth Mother was all right.
“You should go and get some rest, Eric,” said Gillock, after a moment of silence.
“Your sister is back now, and she needs to sleep. Go and relax.”
Eric nodded and left the wizard to his thoughts. He was wide-awake now and when he spotted the goblins Eric decided to go over and talk with them.
“Youses sisters okays?” asked Mork.
“Yes. How are you feeling?”
“Tiredes,” responded the goblin.
Eric sat down next to Nak and Goulerick. “I am sorry I have not come over to see you lately. Too much has happened these last few days.”
“Weses been wonderings boutz Dilmek,” said Nak.
Eric gasped. He had forgotten all about their friend. “We never did go after those creatures who took him. I am so sorry, Nak. I...”
“Notz youses faultz. Prophecyses mores importants.”
Eric nodded, but did not agree fully. Dilmek was their friend, and he had abandoned him for his own gain. “Once we move off towards Keenley, I will talk to the elves about tracking those creatures.”
Nak smiled, showing his razor sharp teeth. A sight which used to make Eric feel uneasy, but no longer. “Thankses.” Eric spent the remainder of the day hearing stories about Dilmek, and pushed the prophecy from his mind.
Adora had kept her distance, not wanting to upset Eric. The moment he moved off, she rushed in to talk to Gillock.
“Is Koral alright?” she asked, her voice quiet and concern was evident.
Gillock looked up at her. “She is resting right now. When she awakens I will let you know how she's feeling.”
Adora nodded and moved off towards her sleeping pallet.
“I do not trust her,” remarked Glavlin.
“You don’t need to,” was Gillock’s reply and his tone stated the matter was no longer open for discussion.
Koral opened her eyes and groggily pushed herself into a sitting position. She had known Gillock was there before she turned to face him. “You know more than you are telling me, Gillock. And I am not sure this is something I like.”
The tone in her voice disturbed Gillock. She suddenly sounded more mature than her sixteen years. “Some things are best left unsaid until they are needed to be known,” he responded.
“What of Malena? I am certain I had a dream about her. She was with Eric’s goblin friends. Was it just a dream, or is it possible to cross from where she is to our world?”
Gillock sat back against a tree, studying the princess. She shouldn’t have been able to recognize Malena. It appeared she had learned a great deal in her time with the Earth Mother. “It's true, there are ways to pass from our world to where she resides, but only creatures of magic can do it. Those goblins once belonged to her, which is probably where they heard about the prophecy. Clearly, they no longer follow her rule, so don't worry. They are quite safe.”
“I was not worried about them, I am worried about her. If we succeed, will she be able to come back? My parents fear her greatly and I do not want their lives to be in more danger than they already are.”
Gillock sat in silence, not sure how to answer. “If you and your brother succeed in this, she will again return to our world. I’m not certain what it will mean to your family, but it can't be helped.”
Koral said nothing, but stared at Gillock with such intensity he wondered if she could read his thoughts.
“Yes, it cannot be helped, but something must be done to contain her.”
“That’s a problem for another day, princess. It’s getting late and the evening meal is about ready. You should eat something.”
Again, Koral said nothing, but stared intently at the wizard. “That is a good idea. I am famished.”
Gillock smiled; glad to hear her voice change back to the young familiar girl. They both moved off towards the fires to have their evening meal.
The camp was in a light mood, despite the fact they had to delay their trip into town another day. The lighthearted tone Koral heard in the voices of her companions lifted the weight of confusion she had been carrying since she woke. After the Earth Mother had left her, she had felt happiness. It quickly changed into the images she had been shown the last time. Everything was the same, except Gillock’s role. He had become the central character, standing out while the others were in shadow or faded out. Koral still hadn't been able to make out any faces, except Gillock's, and it made the Earth Mother's warning about him become a bit ominous.
Koral shivered at the thought. Gillock had been her teacher, mentor, and friend since the day she was born. She just could not bring herself to think of him as someone she could not trust. A smile came to her lips as she glanced around the camp. The simple fact that so many beings, some who were not supposed to exist anymore, could get along famously made her heart swell. It was times like these which made her realize just how important this quest was. She took the plate handed to her, and moved off to find a spot to sit.
“Koral, come and join me,” came Glavlin's voice.
Koral smiled and moved towards the elf. “You are eating alone?” she asked.
“Not anymore.”
Koral laughed at his attempt at humour and sat down beside him. “It is good to hear you laugh, princess. We were quite worried about you.”
“Really? You did not have to worry; the Earth Mother was with me.”
The statement came out hard and so quickly, it took Koral and Glavlin by surprise.
“I am glad she was there to guide you,” responded Glavlin.
“I did not mean it to come out way,” remarked Koral.
Glavlin smiled at her. “It is a great honour to have spoken with her. Many woodland creatures go their entire lives without getting to meet her. You have nothing to apologize for. I know how overwhelming it can be.”
Koral stopped eating and turned to look at Glavlin. “You have spoken to her?”
“Yes, a few times actually. My birth was a significant one for my people. Twins are rare in the elven world; I guess she felt it important enough to call to me.”
Koral looked at Glavlin intently. His eyes showed there was more to this story, but she did not press. Instead, she changed to subject to her life at the castle. Glavlin had stories of his own, but never revealed too much with them. Koral resigned herself to the fact that it was going to take a while for the king to open up fully to her. It was something she was more than willing to wait for.
Three women watched Koral intently through their scrying ball, as she yet again became a tree.
“The Earth Mother speaks with her,” said one.
The other two nodded in agreement. “What does this mean for us?” asked the one who had spoken.
Not one had an answer.
“We are gods,” stated Ademorna, Goddess of the Sun.
“Yes, but so is the Earth Mother,” responded Almena, Goddess of the Stars. “If magic is truly failing on Melarandra, then it means the Earth Mother is as well.”
“And without her,” continued Allorethna, Goddess of the Moon, “the world could be lost to us.”
Ademorna and Almena stared at their sister. “The twins will complete the quest, but not the prophecy. Not in a way they expect anyway,” said Ademorna.
Almena sighed. “They are the children of the sun and moon. We do not know what other gods could be watching. Perhaps when the time arrives, if possible, you two should offer your assistance.”
Ademorna and Allorethna could only nod their agreement.