CHAPTER THREE
The morning brought another sunny day and Koral could not wait to see Gillock. She moved from her bed over to her window where she sat for some time just staring at the horizon. So much had happened yesterday. So much of her future had been laid out before her. She had countless questions for Gillock, but had no idea where she should start. Koral also wondered if she should inform Gillock of the abilities she already knew she had. Moving away from her window, she looked around her room. Above her desk, was a copy of the prophecy.
‘ In their sixteenth year the twins sun and moon shall be separated by betrayal, but shall be found in the light. Only when the night is restored will the evil be destroyed. United they will return the night but it must be done with the power that is sun and moon or chaos will overpower all.’
Betrayal. This was how it would start. Gillock had said it would come from Eric, but she was not so sure. Anything could be construed as a betrayal. She herself may one day tell a secret Eric swore her to keep. Would that be the betrayal? Koral knew she was just trying to convince herself there was no way her brother could ever do that to her. Deep down, she knew
Gillock was right. Eric had been too secretive over the last few months. Something was up. Not wanting to dwell on it anymore, she decided to get ready for the day. As she was getting dressed, Maiya came in and informed her that Gillock was waiting for her in the garden.
“Is Eric ready?” Koral asked.
“He’s still sleeping, my lady. He’s not feeling very well this morning.”
Koral sighed. That had been a regular excuse recently. Not wanting to let her suspicions show, she just smiled at Maiya. “Figures. He always seems to get ill on the days I really need him to be there.”
Maiya just laughed, gathered up the dirty laundry, and left to finish her chores.
Koral could not help but feel excited as she left her room. Maybe she would get more information from Gillock today. Daydreaming, she turned a corner and bumped right into Brin.
“Have you seen our brother?” she snapped.
It always amazed Koral how much her older sister looked like their father, the only difference being she had inherited their mother’s blue eyes. However, the looks she could give were most definitely not anything which came from their parents. Constantly in a bad mood is how the entire palace viewed Brin. “He is still sleeping,” responded Koral.
Brin just shook her head, and her tightly wound bun barely moved an inch, and stormed off towards Eric’s room.
“I will never understand why Brin is always so miserable,” muttered Koral to herself as she headed for the garden.
When Koral arrived, she saw Gillock sitting in the centre, facing towards her. As she approached, she noticed he had a strange look on his face.
“Something troubling you?” she asked. Gillock could hear the concern in her voice.
Gillock motioned her to sit down beside him. “Where to begin,” he thought. “There's been a lot happening lately,” he started. “So much for you to learn and now we are out of time.”
“I do not understand,” she remarked, confused.
“Koral, you and your brother are destined to save this world. It may not look that way, but magic must be returned to us. I fear neither you nor your brother is ready for the challenges ahead.”
“Eric and I have learned so much. I think we are ready,” said Koral, defensively.
Gillock sighed. “Yes, you have. Unfortunately, nothing I have taught you will help. You need to use your magical abilities to fulfil the prophecy and in this, you’re both not ready.”
“We will just do the best that we can, I suppose,” she surmised.
Gillock smiled at her optimism “You don't understand what lies ahead for you. For this to work, you and your brother must use magic, and do it together. I’m afraid my earlier speculation has come to pass.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, not liking the tone his voice had taken on.
Gillock sighed. “Eric is about to betray you.”
Koral was taken aback. It was happening. The betrayal that would set her course was occurring.
“You can't stop him. It must happen,” stated Gillock.
Koral stared at him. “I know, but it does not mean I cannot try.”
Gillock knew he could not stop her from going, so he motioned her to leave.
“Maybe this will not start it,” she said, though her voice betrayed her true feelings. Not knowing what else she could say, Koral turned and ran from the garden.
Gillock watched her as she ran away from him. “In their sixteenth year the twins of sun and moon shall be separated by betrayal,” he recited to himself.
“Who are you speaking to?” questioned a voice from behind.
Gillock turned to see Queen Elizanne approaching. Looking at the queen one could see how Koral may look in a few years. “Koral,” he replied.
“Is she a spirit?” asked the queen, jokingly.
Her expression changed as she drew closer to Gillock. “What is wrong?” she asked, seeing the fear in his eyes.
“As we speak, the prophecy is beginning. There’s no time left, and they are not ready,” he stated.
Elizanne sat down beside him. “Are you certain?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Everything is about to be set in motion. We must find the king.”
Elizanne nodded in agreement. “He will want to know.”
They stood together and headed towards the throne room in silence. Both knew how Jeremy was going to react to this news.
Koral left the garden and headed straight up to Eric’s room. She burst through the door and saw he was not there. Moving around the room, she noticed most of his things were missing. Frustrated, Koral headed back towards the door, but something on his desk caught her eye. It was a letter addressed to her. As she began to read it, her heart started to beat faster. The letter was telling her he was leaving and was going to figure out the prophecy on his own. It mentioned friends who were going to help, but did not name them. Koral was stunned, and flopped down onto his bed. The betrayal, could this be it? He always wanted to be a hero, but to go off alone? He had never even been any further away than Sprague, and that was only a week from Klayhern. There was no way he would survive on his own. Suddenly worried about his well-being, Koral jumped up and headed out of his room. She moved into the hallway and was surprised to see Korben standing before her.
“Is something wrong?” he asked his voice quiet and gentle.
The head of the castle guard always amazed Koral. His brown hair and light brown eyes gave him the appearance of a gentle man. He could be gentle, but he could also be fierce.
“It is Eric, Korben. I think he is going to do something bad. Have you seen him?”
“No, but if something is amiss then I'll help you find him. Do you wish me to alert the castle guard?”
“Thank you, but I think I need to find him on my own.”
“As you wish, but I'll tell Payton to keep an eye out for him. You also may want to check the stable. He didn't unsaddle Blade last night.”
Koral turned and headed down the stairs. “Thank you,” she hollered back to him, but he was already gone.
Korben watched Koral as she headed towards the stables. Gillock had told him to give her that clue, but to not help in any other way. He had watched Eric packing earlier, and it was hard for him to just stand on the sidelines and not help. These two were his responsibility, had been since birth, and he was expected to just let one run off alone. Korben sighed. Both he and Gillock knew Eric would not be alone. He had made some unusual friends these last few months. Korben sighed again. He knew there was nothing he could do so he headed to the throne room, positive he would be needed there shortly.
The closer she got to the stable, the more Koral felt something was wrong. It was not something she could place, and that unnerved her even more. As she neared, Koral heard voices arguing.
She recognized the louder of the two to be Brin and after a few moments realized the second was Eric. Koral slowed her pace as she neared the barn and was able to make out some of the argument.
“I just cannot believe you would betray your family so easily,” she heard Brin yell.
“I am not betraying our family,” Eric hollered back.
“Running off to do who knows what days before the celebration and you do not see it as betraying anyone?”
Koral slowly moved into the stables. All she could do was stare at Eric.
“I am glad you are here,” remarked Brin, turning towards her. “Maybe you can talk some sense into him.”
Before Koral could even respond, Eric jumped up onto his horse. “No one can change my mind,” he spat. “Maybe you should change yours.” Then he turned Blade and rode off.
“Koral, go after him,” said Brin. “I am going to inform father of this.”
“Fine,” responded Koral, angrily. “I just hope I can catch him.”
Brin did not respond as she ran passed towards the castle. When Koral looked back towards the direction Eric had gone, she noticed her horse was out and ready. Robyn, the stable boy, came out of a stall. “I had a feeling you'd be needin him,” he stated flatly.
“Thank you,” she muttered, more concerned with finding her brother. Kicking her horse into motion, she set out.
The path Eric had taken was not well used, and although it should have been easy to track him, Koral had to stop many times to find his trail. After stopping for the twentieth time, Koral gave up. The path looked as if no one had been down it in months, let alone a few moments ago. There was no way she would ever be able to determine which way he went. Dumbfounded, Koral began yelling Eric’s name, although she knew it would be in vain.
“What am I going to do,” she said to herself. Confused and frustrated she decided to turn around and go home. As she turned Swift, she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Turning her head back, she saw a creature, which almost made her fall off her horse. Standing in the pathway was a being Koral thought to be long dead. An elf.
The elf smiled and moved towards her. “Do not be afraid, Princess Koral Traven,” came his musical voice. “I am here because I need your help.”
Koral just stared. He was easily six feet tall with long blond hair and violet eyes. He looked exactly as the history books described his race, tall, lean, and graceful. “Who are you?” she asked, trying to regain her composure. “And how is it you know who I am?”
The elf smiled, and she immediately felt at ease. “Please excuse my rudeness. My name is Glavlin. I am king of the Cyprian Forest elves. I have come because of the prophecy concerning you and your brother. I know you were following Eric but you will not ever catch him. His companions have a magic item with them. It is erasing all traces of their passing.”
Companions? Just like his letter had mentioned, and this worried Koral even more.
“What do you want from me?” she asked.
Glavlin smiled again. “There are many things we can discuss, but not here. Please, return to Castle Klayhern and I will come to you there.” He paused, as if contemplating saying more.
“You must tell no one we have had this meeting, save Gillock. He will not be surprised to hear this news. Until then, Princess Koral,” he finished then stepped behind a tree, and was gone.
For many minutes, she stared at the spot where the elf king disappeared. So much had happened in just three days. Gillock had been trying to prepare her for years and she had thought herself ready. She had been wrong. Things were moving too quickly and it was becoming quite overwhelming. First the book, then the test which showed how powerful Eric’s magical abilities were, and now an elf. “Magic is not as dead as we all thought,” she mumbled to herself. Wanting to get back and talk to Gillock, Koral kicked Swift and headed for home as fast as she could.
Magic may have blocked Koral from following Eric, but the two elves on their trail were not so easily fooled by it. Having been out on a routine patrol of the area, the elves were surprised to come across goblin tracks. “They appear to be travelling east,” stated Darly.
“Yes, their trail is quite odd,” answered her brother, Mekken. “Why do they keep switching directions?”
“They must know we are tracking them,” she replied.
They followed their trail for a few more miles before Mekken noticed something odd. “Look, they are no longer hiding their trail with magic. They must have thought someone else was tracking them.”
Darly studied the ground. “Yes, they have slowed their pace as well. They will probably be making camp soon.”
Both elves thought it would be prudent to move off the trail to continue to follow the goblins. It was not long before they came upon their camp. There were fewer goblins than they thought, but both did not expect to see a human boy with them.
“They must be joining up with a larger group,” said Mekken.
“Perhaps, but why is there a human with them?” questioned Darly. “It appears he is not their prisoner.”
“It is odd, but he may be under a spell. We must track ahead to see if there is a larger group.”
Darly shook her head. “The boy may be in trouble. You go on and see. I will stay with this group and we will meet further up the road.”
Mekken agreed and headed off. Darly watched as her brother disappeared into the trees. Turning her attention back to the camp, she hoped she would learn why the human was with a band of goblins.
Darly watched the camp well into the night, but no one really said anything. It was the oddest band of goblins she had ever seen. They actually appeared to be protecting the boy. Darly knew they would be leaving at first light so she took a quick nap in a tree, in case someone decided to come her way. She awoke to the sounds of the camp coming down. Climbing down from her tree, Darly noticed they were heading south again. Wanting to make sure Mekken found them, she left a marker showing him the way she went. Darly followed them until they made camp again. By this time, they had switched their trail back to the east. The constant changing of directions made her think this really was no ordinary band. Goblins were definitely not welcome in this area, as was seen by the villagers responses when they drew too close. However, this group appeared to be avoiding something else altogether.
It was four more days before Mekken finally returned. “Did you find anything?” she asked him.
Mekken just stared at her. “No,” he answered, flatly. “There was nothing.”
“Then we must return and report our findings to the king.”
Mekken laughed. “Report there is a boy with some goblins. It will be of no interest to the king.”
“He will want to know,” she responded, with a hint of annoyance in her voice.
“If you insist,” said Mekken moving away from Darly. “Off we go.”
Darly did not understand why her brother was trying to bait her into an argument but decided not to dwell on it. He always had to be difficult. Turning away from him, she decided it best to just forget about it and head off home.
Moments after Koral had ridden off to find Eric; Brin was bursting into the throne room. A look of surprise crossed her face when she saw both her parents and Gillock there, apparently waiting for her.
“Eric has gone,” she gasped, trying to catch her breath.
The queen’s face paled. “Where is Koral?” she asked.
“I sent her after him, but he had a good lead.”
Both the king and queen looked at Gillock. Returning their look he said, “They will be separated by betrayal.”
“But it cannot be,” stated Jeremy.
“But it is,” Gillock shot back, his voice fierce. “I told you and you wouldn't listen. Now all may be lost because of your foolish honour to a ridiculous law.”
“It was in their best interests,” Jeremy started, but could not finish his thought. He knew Gillock was right and it may cost him his
children.
“All is not lost,” remarked Elizanne. “We still have a few days to try and teach Koral.”
Gillock was about to respond, when Brin interrupted.
“What do you mean?” she asked, not following the conversation.
They had all forgotten she was even in the room.
“Nothing,” said the Queen quickly. Too quickly, Brin thought.
Everyone was silent, not knowing what to say. Jeremy broke the silence. “Where is Koral now?” he asked his wife.
Queen Elizanne closed her eyes and concentrated. Sighing, she opened them and looked at Jeremy. “She is returning to the castle, and she is alone.”
King Jeremy sighed. They all knew what that meant. Koral was unable to catch Eric. “We must get back to the festival planning,” he said. “It must go on no matter what. We cannot let anyone know what is conspiring here.”
They all nodded in agreement and went their ways. Brin, who was feeling very confused, went to her room.
It was disturbing to see her mother use magic to find Koral. At least, it looked like she was. It also dawned on her, that they had been discussing the prophecy. Her siblings were not supposed to be the twins, but Gillock’s remark made her wonder if maybe they were. Magic was forbidden, and anyone who used it was to be reported to the Maget immediately. Brin’s loyalty to her family was strong, but stronger still was her need to uphold the law. Confused, she decided to get ready for the evening meal.
Koral arrived at the stables, very tired, an hour later. Robyn informed her she had missed the evening meal. Feeling more confused than hungry she thanked him and headed to her room. Both of her parents stopped by, but once they saw how exhausted she was neither wanted to press her about Eric. She had heard about this prophecy her entire life, and now it is actually happening. It was all too much, but before she retired, she wanted to tell Gillock about meeting King Glavlin. Unfortunately, exhaustion overtook her so she lay down and was asleep instantly.
“The betrayal has begun, and I must make sure things go my way,” thought Malena, letting her scrying mirror cloud over. She had just witnessed Eric leaving the stables, thanks to Robyn’s mirror. Raising herself up from her throne, she summoned her bolamer. Stupid creatures, one of her first experiments, but they still did her bidding. “Find me someone who will help me further my plans,” she stated to them.
Two days later Malena sat across from her captive in the dungeon. “I hope your trip through the void was not unpleasant,” she commented. The prisoner did not respond. Slowly rising, she turned to her companion. “No answer?” she remarked.
Moray smiled, which was an unnerving and evil looking movement. “It would appear having ones heart ripped out cause’s difficulties in answering questions,” he said.
Malena smiled, and hers was no less cold and evil. “That is too bad. Would this form please you?” she asked the demon.
“Yes, I believe it would suit our needs,” he responded.
Malena moved over to the body, and began chanting. Quietly at first, then growing louder and the spell became more intense. She shouted the final phrase needed to allow Moray to enter the dead body, and collapsed onto the floor. Moray raised himself up, then went, and helped Malena off the floor. “Now, go and find the princess,” she said breathlessly.