“Calm down,” Blue said. “Crisa’s got this.”
“Yeah,” I said, maybe a tad less confidently than I should have.
“And if you die, we know some nice ghosts in Camelot you can hang out with.”
“Blue.” I glanced at her disapprovingly before approaching the shining orange portal. “I’ll go first. We don’t know what’s on the other side. Once I give the all clear, the rest of you can come through.”
One last deep breath for luck, and . . .
I walked through the portal. Unlike Portalscape Portals, Pop-Up Portals were a breeze. The changeover merely felt like a gasp of wind going past. I took my first step on Camelot soil for the first time in weeks. It was strange. We’d had a major story arc pass through here. I’d been a different person the first time I’d entered this realm, and that girl felt like a distant memory. I’d become so much stronger and also so much more vulnerable since then.
The portal let out on a mountain path overlooking a valley dotted with villages. Nearby, a large smooth rock offered the perfect place for Dorothy to sit as I did my thing. Once she left Neverland, she wouldn’t be able to go far.
I poked my head through the wormhole. “All clear,” I said to the others. “You ready?”
“As I will ever be,” Dorothy said. She removed her sweater and bunched it up in her hand. I went back through the wormhole and waited. Then she, Blue, and Jason passed through.
Dorothy took a quick look around before she stumbled. I caught her by the good arm and helped her to the rock seat. Her wound throbbed with angry colors while the rest of her skin turned pale and clammy.
Dorothy cleared her throat. “So, this is what dying feels like.” She grunted.
“Keep her from tipping over,” I told my friends as she sat down.
Jason and Blue held onto Dorothy to keep her steady. “You’re going to be okay,” Jason said reassuringly.
I hoped he was right. I rubbed my hands together and focused. My palms lit up with golden energy.
There were two key components to returning people to life. First, I had to let emotion entangle with my will and control, which I wasn’t supposed to do typically since emotional magic was extremely strong and therefore harder to control. But the very fact that it was so powerful was why I had to use it; I needed all the magic I could get for such a big task. Second, I had to focus my thoughts not only on the task of giving life, but also on the essence of that person’s life specifically. After all, these people I resurrected were not empty like the inanimate objects I enchanted. They had souls. Resurrection needed to respect that.
I placed my hands over Dorothy’s wound and poured magic into her. My light consumed her arm and then her entire body. I let emotions fill me, but not desperation or panic like I felt when I’d saved Jason and Kai. This time I felt calmer and more in control. I had done this before; I could do this now. I just had to believe in it, and myself.
Dorothy gasped and writhed in pain. Her eyes were starting to close and I knew she was in her final moments.
“Hang on,” I said.
I concentrated harder. Memories of Dorothy and the essence of her personality flooded my mind. As the magic flowed from me into her body, I thought about all the things I knew this girl to be—strong, protective, sweet, courageous, and a good friend. The more I thought on these elements, the stronger my aura grew until ultimately—
“Life.”
I spoke the word once—a command filled with so much power that it could’ve shook the world. As I’d become accustomed, a large conclusive pulse burst from my hands. It shot into Dorothy and pushed me back at the same time. I landed on my butt on the rocky path, my glow utterly extinguished. I looked up to see a beam of light erupt from Dorothy’s wound and I shielded my eyes.
When the light faded, she slowly began to move her limbs, like someone stretching after a deep slumber. The color in her skin came back. Her poisonous wound had sealed over into a thin scar with golden sparks dancing around it. Dorothy blinked and looked at me. A rim of gold shone around her irises—a temporary side effect of my resurrection.
“You did it!” she gasped.
Blue and Jason helped Dorothy to her feet as I rose to mine. I felt some soreness and a little exhaustion, but not much compared to how resurrection used to affect me. In the past I would crumple from ache and tiredness after doing something like this. Now I barely felt woozy. That should’ve made me happy, but it didn’t. I was glad I was able to resurrect Dorothy, but it shouldn’t have been that easy, the consequences not so simple to endure. I wasn’t supposed to be this strong. The argument I was proposing at my trial relied on that.
Dorothy rushed over and gave me a huge hug.
“I guess you were wrong,” Blue said to me as Dorothy finished her embrace. “After the Vicennalia Aurora you claimed you weren’t as powerful as everyone thought, that the incredible things you did that day—resurrection included—were the result of the Aurora’s boost to your magic, not your own power. That’s obviously not true. You don’t need any help.”
It was very conflicting; part of me wanted to feel as confident and cocky as I once did with my power and agree with her. I didn’t want to shy away. But there was a huge pit of fear in my stomach that overpowered this desire. I couldn’t accept that I was that mighty. It would mean that the higher-ups had a right to be afraid of me; it would mean I had a right to be afraid of me.
“It’s not the same thing,” I argued hesitantly, still trying to preserve my conviction of modesty. “I had the power to resurrect several people on the day of the Aurora, and do a bunch of other crazy stuff too. I am not that powerful without the boost. After doing this resurrection and making that Pegasus earlier, I’m probably drained of magic.”
“Let’s find out,” Blue challenged. “Try to bring something to life.”
“Uh, guys?” Jason pointed behind me. I turned and looked up. A large blob, impossible to make out thanks to the sun directly behind it, descended toward the mountain. The four of us reached for our weapons. I had my wandpin in hand as the blob drew nearer. We backed up hastily as the creature dove toward the mountain trail. It landed in front of us with a mighty final flap of its wings that blew dust everywhere.
“What is that?” I asked.
“It’s a Griffin,” Jason said.
I gazed in admiration at the formidable creature. It had the body, back legs, and tail of a lion—only three times the size—and the erect ears of a horse attached to the head of an eagle. Enormous eagle wings sprouted from the Griffin’s shoulders. It had mostly white feathers tipped with gold glitter and a large saddle strapped to its back.
“What’s it doing here?” Dorothy asked.
“There’s something around its neck,” I said.
A brown leather collar with tiny decorative jewels clung to the Griffin’s neck. At the end of the accessory hung a mail canister like one might use to transport an important scroll or parchment. I looked closer and saw the initials SJ engraved onto the canister.
“I think this Griffin is from SJ,” I said. Hesitantly, I tried to approach the creature. It growled and lifted one of its taloned front feet then crouched, gripping the ground defensively. I backed up. “Okay, so that’s not a thing.”
“Crisa, the sugar cubes,” Jason said. “The ones Merlin told you to bring. Try those.”
“He’s not a horse, Jason,” I replied.
“You have any better ideas?”
I looked at the intimidating beast then turned back to my friend. “I do not.”
I took off my backpack and dug around for the plastic bag full of sugar cubes. I poured a bunch into my hand and approached the creature again. It lifted its head curiously, eyeing my outstretched hand.
“If I lose a finger, I’m blaming you,” I called back, keeping my eyes on the Griffin.
I now stood directly in front of it. Up close, the animal was even more menacing. I was pretty sure his beak was big enough to bite off my head.
The Griffin and I locked eyes. His were bluer than the ocean and shone with the intensity of the sharks that swam beneath it. He opened his beak and to my relief delicately picked a sugar cube out of my hand. Then he threw his head back and flung the cube into the air, swallowing it as it came down.
Satisfied, he touched my hand with his beak a couple of times like he wanted me to do something. I was pretty sure I understood. At least, I hoped so. In good faith, I tossed all the sugar cubes into the air above his head. The Griffin gladly gulped them down at once. When he finished, he ruffled his feathers and sat on the ground, his lengthy lion tail curling around him.
“I think he accepts your friendship,” Dorothy said.
“I’m counting on it,” I replied. Gingerly, I reached for the Griffin’s necklace. The creature didn’t seem to mind this time, and I popped the latch on the canister and pulled out a scroll.
“It is from SJ,” I announced. Then I started to read aloud. “Hello, everyone. I hope this finds you well. Merlin told me where you would be coming through via portal. This is Betsy, my new Carrier Griffin gifted to me by Arthur. The creature is wonderful for delivering messages like a carrier pigeon, and also great for providing transport. Betsy is smart and loyal; she knows to give you all a ride to the castle. Please hop on and hold on tight. Blue, no provoking her.”
“Why does she assume I am going to provoke her?” Blue asked.
“Because the last time a magic-animal petting zoo came to Lady Agnue’s for a day visit, you got attacked by the shrinking cow when you made fun of its horns,” I said as I rolled up the scroll and popped it back in the canister.
“That was one time.”
“Remember when we were fourteen and you got into it with that pack of iron sheep?” Jason added.
“Watch, I’ll prove to you that I can be nice.” Blue huffed, threw her cloak back dramatically, and approached the Griffin. “Here, bird-lion thing. Nice, bird-lion thing.”
The Griffin turned his—I mean her—head to the side and blinked. Suddenly, Betsy rushed straight at Blue. I thought she was going to buck my friend off the mountain, but the creature sat down directly beside my friend, erect and alert like a loyal dog. The Griffin cawed and then regurgitated something at Blue’s feet. It wasn’t vomit in the traditional sense; it was a pile of gold fragments covered in saliva.
“Uhhh, okay.” Blue blinked at the expensive spittle and then the Griffin who watched her expectantly. The Griffin lowered her head and after a moment’s hesitation, Blue gave it a friendly pat that the creature seemed to like.
“I think I made a friend too,” Blue said.
A rumbling in the distant sky caused me to pivot. While the world’s ceiling was clear above us, dark clouds were headed this way. “Let’s hope our new friend is fast. Looks like a storm is coming.”
Maybe that’s what Merlin’s umbrella is for.
One by one we climbed aboard Betsy. Jason sat in the front, followed by Blue, me, and Dorothy. There was a large horn at the head of the saddle for the lead rider to hold onto, but the only option for the rest of us was to hang on to the person in front. A fact I wondered if Blue, sitting behind Jason, secretly enjoyed.
The instant we were seated, the Griffin leapt off the edge of the mountain. I screamed for a second in surprise then let out an embarrassed laugh when Betsy leveled off. Fortunately, we all had moments throughout the ride that we couldn’t help but shout. Riding Betsy was like riding a rapid roller coaster—a lot of speed and a lot of ups and downs.
Griffins could move.
Built into a mountain range, Camelot’s citadel was a magnificent metropolis that never ceased to amaze. We soared over the city, flying up to the castle constructed near the peak. It was past dusk when we arrived, and the storm clouds were thick and gray like a doomsday dust bunny.
Betsy seemed to know exactly where to go. The creature soared across the moat that encircled the castle, over the walls, then descended into the castle’s rose garden. Guards manning the area came to help us down. I guess they’d been expecting us.
“Welcome back, Lady Knight, Lady Dieda, and Sir Jason,” said one of the guards. Blue proudly grinned at the title recognition. I was used to formal titles being a princess; she wasn’t. But boy, had she earned this one—she, like me and several of our friends, had been made a Knight of the Round Table by Arthur. Blue had also been extra honored for killing the Questor Beast that used to terrorize this land.
A guard offered Dorothy a hand. She slid off the rear of our Griffin and the rest of us dismounted one by one. “Lady SJ is expecting you, as are the king and queen,” the guard said.
“And don’t forget me,” mused a familiar voice.
My blood pressure went up ever so slightly.
“Merlin,” I said as the wizard strolled into the courtyard. He wore navy robes tied at the waist with his leather utility belt. “You know, next time you could save us a bunch of guessing if you simply sent a full travel itinerary. You seem to know our every move beforehand.”
“Oh, but I so enjoy keeping you on the edge of your seat, Crisanta. And that kind of humility is good for you.”
“Maybe you could use some too.” I pulled out the small umbrella from my backpack and gestured at the sky with it. “We beat the rain. I didn’t need this like you anticipated.”
“Open it,” the wizard said.
I popped the umbrella open. “And?”
Suddenly, Betsy cawed. I turned around just in time to see her spew up more gold vomit. I held up the umbrella like a shield to avoid being showered in bile. Once done projecting, the Griffin extended her head to Blue for another pat. Blue obliged. I turned and looked at Merlin.
“You’re welcome,” he said. “Now come, children. Business awaits.” He waved us toward the castle. Jason, Dorothy, and Blue pursued him. Betsy trotted off with a guard escort. I sighed, handed the abused umbrella to a different guard, then went after my friends.
“I am so glad you all are here,” Merlin said as he led us through the ballroom and down adjoining corridors of the glistening castle. “And congratulations on being revived, Dorothy. Crisanta’s resurrection powers may pose a danger to society, but they sure do pack a punch.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’m not a danger to society, Merlin. We talked about this. And I’m the one who packs a punch, not my magic. You know that from experience.”
Even though I had punched him before, Merlin appeared unaffected by the warning in my comment. I wished he’d pay attention to it though. I didn’t like him referring to me or my magic like we were a threat. Especially so casually. It made it seem like the dark potential of my powers was not opinion, but fact. With my trial next weekend, I didn’t need his comments quaking my confidence. As noted on the mountain, how was I supposed to convince twenty-six of our realm’s higher-ups that I wasn’t dangerous if I didn’t fully believe it myself?
I barely paid attention as Merlin proceeded to tell us about the castle’s recent renovations and the newly prospering citadel. Then I tuned him out completely when we rounded a corner and I saw SJ walking down the hall toward us. Her long, raven hair was in a ballerina bun, and she wore a black and white floor-length dress with a cutout in front. She paused for a second when she saw us. Then we all ran toward each other. There were no words or greetings exchanged. The four of us simply collided in a hug.
When SJ pulled away, she resumed our walk through the castle with us. “So what did you think of Betsy?” she asked.
“She’s awesome,” Jason commented. “And ridiculously fast.”
“Arthur says Griffins symbolize courage and boldness,” SJ explained. “He gave her to me yesterday. He said that a Knight of the Round Table in residence like me deserves a proper steed. She is only three months old but has bonded to me very strongly in a mere twenty-four hours. Griffins have the ability to navigate telepathically. All I had to do was visualize where you were while touching Betsy’s head and she knew exactly where to go and what I wanted her to
do.”
“So you wanted her to vomit gold at my feet?” Blue asked.
“What?”
“Oh, that’s a reflex,” Merlin chimed in. “Griffins lay golden eggs and can regurgitate gold too. They typically only do the latter to show kinship to similar creatures.”
Blue frowned. “I don’t have a tail or wings.”
“But you are part monster,” Merlin clarified. “Griffins are powerful, fierce monsters, and they are drawn to the same kind of creature. The Griffin must have detected the magical essence of the Questor Beast inside you and sees you as one of its kind.”
Blue shrugged. “All right. I’m okay with that.”
“Which actually brings us to the reason why both of you are here,” Merlin said to Blue and me. “We have a problem.”
Our group arrived at the grand throne room. Both sides featured wall braziers and enormous marble pillars that stretched to the roof. The ceiling was overlaid with rafters that ran across at sharp angles. Gray light from the brewing storm outside poured through the windows. King Arthur and Queen Gwenivere sat on their elevated obsidian thrones at the opposite end of the room while they consulted with Ormé, the leader of the Gwenivere Brigade, and several knights in black armor. They all looked up when we came through the double doors.
“Welcome back,” Ormé greeted us happily, striding toward us followed by the knights and the king and queen.
We met in the center of the room. The knights exchanged respectful nods with Jason, Blue, and I before exiting and closing the double doors. Ormé gave each of us a sturdy embrace. She was a big woman, so she gave good hugs. Arthur and Gwenivere smiled at us warmly. We didn’t have a hugging relationship with either of them—both were adults with about twenty years on us. Plus, both were respectable, powerful rulers. Nevertheless, their affectionate smiles showed that they were greatly pleased to see us.
Arthur stretched out his hand to me and we gripped each other’s arms like old friends. “Crisa, Blue, Jason—we’re so glad you could come. And Dorothy, it is wonderful to see you again. Allow me to present my wife Gwenivere.” He gestured from one lady to the other.
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