I looked away. “Right.” She had no idea.
“Don’t let it trouble you. It will end, and Lauren will have to pick up the pieces.”
I scowled, but her words intrigued me. “What do you mean?”
“Dardanos is famous with women. He likes to woo, but soon loses interest,” she said with a sad smile.
“How do you know this?” I asked, sitting up straight.
She sighed and stared into the dancing flames. “I speak from experience.”
“You’re kidding! You and Dardanos?”
“Yes, a few years ago. For a long time, my heart ached with rejection. Especially when I saw him with others.”
I couldn’t believe it. “I thought you were older than him.” I regretted my words as soon as I said them, but in my defense, I am just a stupid kid when it comes to love. I’ll admit that.
A brief look of annoyance flitted across Flitwicket’s face, but she continued. “I am, but not by much. Dardanos is a fiery man, exciting and wonderful, and when he left me, my heart was empty—hollow. I learned a great lesson from that painful time.” She turned and placed her hand over mine. “A heart hungers for affection and is easily deceived.”
I stared at my beautiful dryad priestess, remembering when I created her, and how much fun she’d been to play with online. I’d kind of dropped her though, to create and play with Dardanos. I wondered if that had anything to do with her pain.
We have him, Your Highness. We have the Ancient, Vasu!” Daglas, the Warlord’s servant bowed low.
“Bring him in!” the Warlord commanded.
Vasu—aged and weak—was ushered into the Warlord’s presence and shoved violently to his knees.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” the Warlord murmured, stepping close to inspect the old man. “I thought you were dead. How is it you managed to escape my slaughter all those years ago?”
Vasu lifted his head, his snowy white beard dusting the floor. “You’re not all powerful, David.”
“Don’t call me that!” the Warlord yelled. “Or I will kill you here and now!”
“I do not fear death. But you must. How many potions do you take to stay alive?”
The Warlord’s face twisted in rage, his hands clenched in fists.
“Your reign is coming to an end,” Vasu said. “You know that, don’t you?”
Without warning, the Warlord raised his arm and slammed his steel-clad hand against the paper-thin skin of Vasu’s face. Vasu flew across the room, landing hard against the granite wall, his nose and cheek spouting blood.
“Do not speak to me of such things! You are here for one reason and one reason only!” Hate radiated through the Warlord’s black steel helmet like a thick coating of poisonous tar.
Vasu felt it wash over him in waves, like acid. He could hardly speak, his voice raspy, as he held his side and grimaced in pain.
“I will tell you nothing. You lost that right long ago.”
“Oh yes, you will!” the Warlord snarled. “Guards, bring her in!”
The doors flew open. A small wisp of a girl—her dark hair hanging in clumps—was dragged in. Her eyes radiated fire.
Vasu gasped, and climbed to his knees.
The Warlord sauntered over to the captured girl, running a steel-gloved hand down her smooth cheek. “So beautiful. I should make you my wife.”
The girl struggled, and then spit into the glowing eyes of the Warlord’s helmet.
“Lovely,” he said, ignoring the dripping saliva. “Take Princess Taylina back to her dungeon where she can await my summons. And clean her up; she stinks.”
The guards left, pulling the wriggling girl between them.
The Warlord turned back to Vasu with an air of disdain. “When I heard you still lived, I had my men steal her away from her pearly Oakenfield castle. It was extraordinarily easy.”
“You’ll never get away with this, David. Evil is always defeated in the end,” Vasu gasped, still holding his ribs.
“The end is still very far away.” The Warlord waved his gloved hand and strode to his throne. He sat down, his back ramrod straight. “So, tell me,” he continued, “what is the secret to the Eye of Tanúb?”
“It’s unfortunate that I am the only one with that knowledge, isn’t it?” Vasu answered, gasping for breath. “And I will never divulge its secrets. You had your chance to apprentice long ago. Remember? You were offered the Pendant of Power.”
“Where is that pendant, by the way?” the Warlord asked, leaning forward. “I don’t see it around your wrinkled, old neck.”
Vasu ignored his question, remaining silent and breathing shallow.
“Keep your secrets, old man, but if you don’t tell me how to use the Eye, then you will watch your granddaughter—or is she your great granddaughter?—die… slowly, of course.”
“Do what you will.”
“Good!” the Warlord shouted, slapping the arm of his throne. “All the more interesting! We’ll start after dinner. My dinner that is.”
Two guards dragged Vasu back to the dungeon where they threw him into a stone cell. He fell to the unforgiving floor, groaning. When he finally caught his breath, he moved his hand over his broken ribs, healing them instantly. The Warlord should have realized the scope of Vasu’s magical ability. He should have placed him somewhere more secure. Someplace that inhibited magic.
Vasu stood on rickety legs, hobbling to the lone cot by the wall. He had no blanket or pillow, only a vermin-filled straw mattress, but it was enough for now. He sat down and wondered at the change in the world. Everything was falling down around him, but the boy was here and coming to the rescue quickly. The boy with a pure heart. The one who would defeat the evil that now permeated the land. The one whom he’d sent his pendant to.
Thinking of his great, great granddaughter, he pulled himself up and ambled to the cell’s door. There was a small barred window, which he was too short to see through. “Taylina, can you hear me?” he called.
“I hear you, Grandfather!” she answered from the dark tunnel.
“My darling! It has been too long since I have seen your lovely face. How fares the family?”
He heard her tinkling laughter and knew she was unaffected by the weighty sadness of the cursed dungeon. “They’re well, Grandfather. We wish you’d leave the mountains and come home.”
He heaved a weary sigh. He was the last of the powerful Ancients. The last of those who knew the secrets of the Eye of Tanúb. It was a heavy weight to bear, but he must finish this last quest. It was almost over.
Vasu moved his hand over the locking mechanism in the door and heard it click. Gently, he pushed the gate open and hobbled down the hall, searching each cell in hopes of finding Taylina. He found her at the very end.
He moved his hand over the lock. It clicked open. She pulled the heavy door back and threw her arms around Vasu. They stood for only a moment, basking in their soon-to-be short-lived reunion.
“Hurry, Grandfather,” she said, taking his hand, “before the guards come back.” They slipped through the dark corridor together, Taylina with her arm around Vasu’s waist. “Which way do we go?”
“Up these stairs.” He pointed up a long, stone staircase that wound through the darkness like a corkscrew. He couldn’t see the top.
Taylina’s countenance fell. “Oh, no! How will you make it?”
Vasu cupped Taylina’s cherubic face in his hands, gazing softly into her sky-blue eyes for the last time. “You must go alone, my dear.”
“No! I won’t leave you!” She grabbed his sleeves with a tight fist, refusing to let go.
“You have to. Fate has other plans for me. But don’t worry; I’ll wreak havoc before I leave this world.”
Taylina hugged the Ancient fiercely. “I love you, Grandfather.”
He hugged her back, fighting tears that threatened to fall. How he would miss Terratir and especially his family. “And I love you. Now, go!”
She took the stairs
two at a time, glancing back once to wave, and then she ran on to freedom. He turned and lowered himself to the bottom step. “I feel your presence, Deemer. Come out.”
“I await your command, Master,” the invisible servant murmured softly, always there with Vasu. He’d never left his side. Ever.
“Go, Deemer. Find this young man who will save us all. Bring him to me. Quickly, before it’s too late.”
“How will I know him, Master?” the aging servant asked.
"He wears the Pendant of Power."
I woke happier than I had in a long time, and swore I could hear a choir singing. I stood and sauntered to the window, careful to step over Dardanos’s prone, snoring body. It was singing I heard! Outside in the square was a choir of young girls, all in emerald robes, raising their voices to the morning sun.
I dressed quickly and ran down the transparent, winding staircase. It felt like walking on air, making me dizzy, but the sensation was so exciting, I ran back up and came down one more time.
Flitwicket and Kalika were already outside watching the extraordinary vocalizing. There was no sign of Lauren. I wasn’t surprised. She never got up this early. She’d sleep until noon if our mom let her. I, on the other hand, loved to get up before everyone else. Stepping out into the sunshine, I let its rays rest on my face for a minute.
We moved closer and listened, enraptured, until the music ended. Flitwicket caught the choirmaster by the sleeve as he was leaving. “That was wonderful!” she said. “How often do you sing like this?”
“Every morning,” he smiled, obviously proud of his choir.
“You sound like angels,” I said, languid, feeling hypnotized.
“Thank you. You aren’t far off. These girls are priestesses in training. Part of their course material is to sing to the dawn every morning,” the choirmaster proudly declared.
“I wish we would have done that in Tardania when I was training,” Flitwicket mused. “I love to sing, but seldom do.”
“Ah. That is a shame. You should have studied here. This is the only school that has the tradition.”
Kalika followed me around town without speaking. She didn’t seem happy, and I didn’t know how to ask her about it. I certainly didn’t want Kirth to translate a personal conversation, so I made it a point to smile often, hoping to brighten her spirits. It didn’t work.
At the corner, a beautiful shop caught our attention, and we all stopped to check it out. The building, made of rose crystal, was clear enough to see through. The counters and shelves were filled with colored glass vials of every shape and size.
“An apothecary!” I exclaimed. “We don’t have anything like this where I come from. I’ve always loved apothecaries in the game!” I said without thinking.
Flitwicket gave me a perplexed smile, and opened the heavy crystal door. “Yes, Zach, it is wonderful. I think I’ll fill my bag with potions while we’re here.” She went from shelf to shelf, examining each bottle.
I moved slowly, carefully reading each label. Invisibility, read one, Increased Speed, read another. I touched each vial, burning the memory into my mind. They were all familiar potions I’d bought many times while playing the game, because they gave my characters an advantage during battle and questing. I couldn’t believe I was seeing them for real, and decided to buy a couple for myself.
I came to a red bottle that proclaimed, Love. A love potion. That would be fun to have, you know, because there might be a girl out there someday that I’d want to… uh… never mind. The next bottle I saw would make you fall out of love. I was tempted to buy it for Lauren, because if anyone needed to fall out of love at the moment, it was her. She was making my life miserable with all her smooching and googly eyes for Dardanos.
We made our purchases and headed leisurely back to the inn. I ended up getting potions for strength and agility, and Flitwicket had potions for healing and protection.
Kirth stood outside the inn, next to his mount and securing his bags. “Would you all like to train before we leave?”
“We’re leaving already?” My face fell in disappointment. I’d have loved to stay here for a solid week, exploring and studying the magical city.
“It’s your quest. We can go as fast as you want,” Kirth answered with a knowing smile.
I frowned, and my shoulders slumped as though weighted down with regret, which they were… kind of. “I guess we should go then.” This trip was going by too fast, and I had a feeling it would be over before we knew it.
“I want to train!” Lauren said, eager with anticipation. “I get into too much trouble otherwise.” She smiled and placed her hand on Dardanos’s arm.
Gag me.
Dardanos laughed and gave her a squeeze. “You’re no trouble at all.”
“You only say that because you haven’t known her long enough.” I felt it my brotherly obligation to get it out there… so he could make wise choices.
“Thank you, Zach. Thank you so much. I really appreciate your kind words,” Lauren said, with a condescending smile.
With everyone going their separate ways to train, I decided I should as well. It couldn’t hurt, so I strolled past each house, shop, and inn. Not all were see-through like the apothecary, but they were all beautiful, like sparkling jewels in a crown. I wound through a neighborhood where the shops were tightly packed and each connected to the next. This was where another maverick trainer lived. But before I could even raise my hand to knock on the correct door, a hand grabbed my shirt and pulled me roughly back.
I yelped in surprise and twisted in my captor’s hand, freeing myself with a deft move I’d been practicing. I landed in a crouch, ready to attack, my dagger glinting in the sun.
A tall, black-haired werewolf in a long, yellow dress stood before me, her canines gleaming. “Hey, wait a minute! I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Right.” I moved back a step, wary.
“I mean it. This is my shop; you were just about to step on a mind melter I dropped. It takes three days to concoct, you know.” The female werewolf stooped to peel up a rubbery substance that had adhered to the gold flagstones. “It costs more than you’ve got, I’m sure.”
“You’re a sorceress?” I stood up, embarrassed. But she was a werewolf, after all, one of the Legion… usually. “Sorry about that.”
“I completely understand. You don’t know me, and why would a werewolf live in Glistendale anyway, right?” She smiled, but it looked more like a snarl with her jagged teeth protruding through her black lips. “I’ve lived here most of my life.”
“Wow. Well, it was nice meeting you. I’ve got to find the maverick trainer. This is his cottage, right?” I pointed to the shop next to hers.
“Yep. That’s his place, but he’s not there. You could wait in my store if you like. Take a look around. You might see something interesting.” The sorceress turned and went inside her light-blue crystal cottage.
I followed.
Inside, incense wrapped around me with smoky fingers, choking me when I took a deep breath. “What do you sell here?” I managed to spit out between coughs.
“Mostly tricks and pranks. I could have started a normal apothecary, but where’s the fun in that? I run a joke shop.”
My eyes grew wide. “Really?” I examined the items on the first shelf, reading each label. There were potions that changed your hair color or made it grow long. Lotions that made pimples break out on your face or made you fat for a few hours. One, if combined with water, doubled a person’s foot size. Each was a temptation. I could use them on Dardanos and Lauren. I would love to see her with giant feet!
Whistles, joke books, candy, and other items hung on the walls or lined the shelves. All sorts of puzzles and finger games were displayed on the counters. It was kid heaven, and time passed without me even realizing. I fingered each ring, played with every toy like I was five years old.
It wasn’t long before shadows stretched across the counters, and I realized I’d wasted the whole day?
??without training. I was going to be in big trouble. My friends were probably searching for me.
“Oh no! I have to go! I can’t believe how late it is!” I hurried to the door, but before I could reach it, the werewolf sorcerer was at my side, offering a cup of hot chocolate. “How about a little treat to warm your bones before you leave?”
“I can’t. I have to hurry.”
“There’s no hurry.” She handed me the cup. It steamed around my face, warming my skin with a loving caress.
“Well, maybe one sip wouldn’t hurt.” I was hungry after all, so I brought the mug to my lips. Warm chocolate swirled over my tongue, gliding down my throat like ambrosia. I moaned in pleasure and took another sip. “This is wonderful.”
“Yes. Drink more.” She brought me a soft chair, and I plopped down happily. Soon the cup was empty, and I handed it back with a dopey grin, never having felt so relaxed, so calm. Where did I need to go? I couldn’t remember, and it didn’t matter, because I liked sitting in this warm, comfy chair, and the hot chocolate—one cup didn’t seem like enough.
“Would you like more?” she asked.
“I sure would.”
She poured from a red ceramic pitcher that never seemed to grow empty. Cup after cup I drank, until the sky was dark, and the streetlights had been turned down. My eyes grew heavy, and all I wanted to do was sleep.
“I have a soft bed upstairs. Would you like to rest?” she asked, gently rubbing my shoulders and smoothing my hair, just like my mom used to.
“Rest? Oh, yes. I definitely need to rest.” How nice it would feel to lie down, to put up my aching feet. I followed the sorceress up the winding stairs, almost too sleepy to keep putting one foot in front of the other. The second floor had a small room with a cot, which I fell onto, falling asleep instantly.
I struggled to open my sticky eyelids. A pounding headache thumped in my right temple, and I couldn’t remember where I was. I rolled over and fell off a narrow cot onto the cold, hard floor where I lay, face down, too exhausted to get up. Where was I? How did I get here? Where were Lauren and the others? My mouth felt like cotton.