Part 2
The sorcerer Neteilu scowled as he gazed into an onyx scrying bowl. Silver mist coiled around the rim like a serpent’s tail. Despite his best efforts, he could not find the location of his adversaries. He was growing angrier by the second.
He had banished them to the air realm, only to learn that they had returned and disappeared to some unknown location. They might as well have been on another world. It was really very frustrating. Neteilu was not used to foes eluding him in such a manner. But he realized that sooner or later, they would be back – if for no other reason than to confront him.
Suddenly, the mist began to solidify into the form of a giant cobra with glowing green eyes. Neteilu stood up and began to chant, ready to thwart any possible attack. Then deep laughter echoed all around him.
“You cannot hope to defeat me, sorcerer,” said a male voice. “I am Zoru.”
Neteilu did his best to regain his composure. He was not entirely surprised that Zoru, the Serpent God, was interested in him. After all, the sorcerer’s own goal was to become the emperor of the civilized world.
“I heard that you had returned to our world. What do you want from me?”
“Your cooperation.”
“What will you give me in return?”
“Your life, sorcerer.” Zoru laughed. “A fair trade, is it not? I could easily snuff out your life and take over your body, but I think you will be more useful to me alive. What do you say?”
Neteilu swallowed. His mouth had suddenly gotten very dry. “I accept, my Lord.”
“Very good.”
As an involuntary shiver ran down the sorcerer’s spine, he realized it was the first time in his life that he had felt real fear. Zoru laughed again. It was a deep, bone-chilling laugh that echoed throughout the dark corridors of Neteilu’s castle.
* * * * *
Meanwhile, in the faerie realm, Tanith and Kip inspected the supplies they had just been given. Talrion stood aside and watched. The supplies included basic food rations, quivers of arrows, extra blades, healing herbs, spell components, thick wool blankets and cloaks, and maps.
Tanith noticed the faerie and wondered why his dark gaze fell upon her. “Might I have a moment of your time, Talrion?”
“Certainly, Mistress,” he replied with a smile.
“I was wondering if you could, perhaps, show me some of your horses?”
“I would love to,” he replied, and led her out towards the stables.
Their mutual attraction did not go unnoticed. Kip grinned briefly as they left. Even in times of darkness and strife, love’s spark had a way of being kindled.
* * * * *
A faerie woman stood with regal bearing as Trin and Aliya entered the library. Trin curtsied and motioned for Aliya to do the same. Queen Myrellyn’s long, black hair was a sharp contrast to her ivory skin. She wore a flowing lilac gown and a silver crown that sparkled with sapphires, amethysts, and diamonds.
She had several ancient scrolls spread out on a table. Two were in the ancient faerie tongue and one was in a script that Trin recognized as the dragon language. She could not read it, but she knew what it looked like, having explored the shelves of the royal library at a young age. The faerie scrolls had to do with the prophecy.
“Mother,” Trin said, “this is my companion, Aliya Sunlaris. She is the one that the prophecies speak of.”
“Indeed,” the queen replied. How her daughter’s fate had become entwined with this girl was a mystery. Yet, the girl was destined to become queen. An alliance with Torgesia could prove to be useful.
Queen Myrellyn smiled faintly. “Welcome, Aliya. It is not often that one gets the chance to meet a person whose fate is bound with destiny.”
Aliya blushed faintly. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Tell me, what do you know of magic?”
“Very little, I’m afraid. Trin showed me how to meditate on our journeys.”
The queen nodded. “Good. You have a lot to learn before you must challenge Zoru. Unfortunately, we don’t have much time.”
Aliya’s eyes widened. She could not believe what the queen was saying. “Pardon me, Your Grace?”
“The entire world depends on your ability to defeat Zoru once you have the scroll from Sagehaven. I am willing to teach you how to control your powers, but you must do something for me in return.”
She nodded, too surprised to speak. Why had the queen offered to teach her magic herself? What was she hoping to gain?
“There is a hidden chamber in Sagehaven on the lowest floor. You must pull on the arm of my ancestor’s statue to enter it. I was there as a girl, before the library was destroyed. I left my ring on the desk there. No one but the librarian and my family knew of the chamber’s existence. If you could return the ring to me, I would be most grateful. It was given to me by my great-grandmother, whom Trinlarian is named after.”
“What does the ring look like?” Aliya asked, when she had regained her composure.
The queen had a distant look on her face as she recalled it. “The ring is silver, with the royal coat-of-arms engraved upon it. It has a star sapphire jewel. It would mean a lot to me to have it back. Many times I have thought about returning for it myself, but I have been caught up in recent events.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” she replied.
“Thank you. Trin, you may go now.”
The faerie princess curtsied. “Thank you, mother.”
Trin hid the irritation of not being asked to stay longer as she left. Even though she did not get along with her sisters, she had always had a good relationship with her mother. Yet she did not question her mother’s behavior, for the queen always applied prudence to her actions.
* * * * *
Fenrek tested out a short bow made of Darkwood in their newly acquired supplies. Carved runes, as well as several carefully placed jasper and tiger eye gemstones, contributed to an enchantment for greater accuracy. The results impressed him. He hit the center of the target nine times out of ten, and even when he didn’t, the arrows landed very close.
The Melosean longed for familiar sights and sounds, like the dimly lit back room of a tavern, where the odor of ale and pipe smoke mingled with shadows that danced on the walls. He sorely missed the sound of dice tumbling across a table, and the thud of darts hitting targets, as well as the chatter of fellow tavern patrons peppered by the curses of gamblers down on their luck. He wanted nothing more than to get back to his old life, but that was impossible now.
If the forces of darkness had their way, it might never be possible again. Fenrek vowed silently that he would rather die fighting if he could not enjoy the simple pleasures of life once more.
* * * * *
Tanith and Talrion walked side-by-side as they passed the stables. Talrion paused by one stall that held a magnificent white stallion. Tanith gasped in disbelief as she recognized him. “J’yar!”
*Mistress,* he whinnied, *it is good to see you again.*
Talrion looked stunned. “You recognize this one? He wandered into our lands a few days ago, as if he was searching for someone.”
Tanith nodded. “Prince Talrion, this is J’yar. He was given to me as a gift by my Naborean blademaster, Nishar.”
J’yar leaned over the stall and licked the hand Tanith held out. *Tell the faerie prince that he is more than a worthy match for your fiery personality. I spoke to his mare, Brightwind. She told me much about him.*
Tanith blushed.
“What is it?” Talrion asked, looking confused.
“I must admit,” she replied, “that I have a gift for understanding the speech of horses. He says he thinks you are a good match for me. He also says that Brightwind talks a lot about you.”
The faerie prince stared at the horse for a few moments, then grinned. “Well, then we agree on something, J’yar. I have heard of such a talent, though it is quite rare among humans.”
“Indeed it is,” Kip said from behind them.
Both turned around, looking surprised. Neither had heard him approach.
“Kip!” Tanith exclaimed. “You gave me quite a start.”
“My apologies. I came to ask Prince Talrion if he would care to join us when we leave for Sagehaven tomorrow as an escort. We could use an extra blade.”
“It would be my pleasure,” the faerie said. “I will speak with my father tonight. I should be able to convince him.”
“Wonderful,” Kip replied. “Tanith, I am heartened to see that you and J’yar are reunited.”
She smiled. “As am I. Perhaps it is a good omen.”
The dragon nodded. Perhaps it was a sign that they would soon find what they sought in the ancient ruins.
* * * * *
