“That was close,” the Matriarch sighed.
“Why did you go in there, Buttons?” Damselfly demanded angrily.
The normally cowardly rabbit looked sheepishly at his feet, avoiding the princess’s anger.
“I thought the Matriarch would use her magic to make me brave,” Buttons revealed.
“I’m afraid that’s not how it works,” the sorceress explained.
“You could have died,” Damselfly condemned.
“Actually, I don’t feel very well,” Buttons declared, slumping to the ground. Damselfly was very concerned for her friend’s health, especially after giving him such a hard time. The Matriarch discovered a small incision amongst his fur and concluded that the ghoul must have penetrated his skin.
“Will he be all right?” Damselfly questioned.
“He will be fine,” the Matriarch confirmed.
“What happened to him?”
Eloise appeared behind them with her hair constantly changing colours in the sequence of the rainbow; it started bright red then changed to orange and yellow.
“He just needs a rest,” the Matriarch answered. “Could you take him back to the Guild while I show Damselfly the museum?”
“Of course,” Eloise replied, her hair spiritedly going green then blue before changing to shades of purple.
“She is really cool,” Damselfly commented.
“It has been hard for Eloise since Uriel left. She has nowhere else to go and would not leave this place even if she did,” the Matriarch told. “The Magic Quarter is everything to Eloise; she will probably remain here long after I am gone.”
Damselfly felt a stab of homesickness for her own home before remembering the reason she was on this mission and her deal with Death.
The museum was their final destination on the tour of the Magic Quarter. It was another grand stone building though with little external adornment. Inside, the ceilings were high, allowing great spaces for some rather unique objects, the centrepiece was a fifteen-foot giant’s cudgel that dominated the main atrium.
“These items are not dangerous,” the Matriarch guided. “However, they all have significance.”
Damselfly wandered around the museum, looking at all the exhibits, asking a dozen questions. the Matriarch was clearly proud of the museum and was extremely knowledgeable about all areas.
“This is my favourite place in Fable,” the Matriarch revealed.
“There is no magic here,” Damselfly noticed.
“Any dangerous magical artefacts are kept in the Guild or the gaol, here we hold articles of history.”
“What happened to this one?”
Damselfly noticed an empty glass box with a small plaque that explained the item was created by the great smith Bakka.
“Let’s continue, there are some interesting plant specimens further on,” the Matriarch parried.
Damselfly went to follow the sorceress before stopping in the avenue between exhibits and saying,
“This is where Blakast stole the object that holds moonlight.”
The Matriarch’s shoulders slumped in defeat as she acknowledged the truth.
“The silver vial has no magical properties itself; however, it can hold large quantities of magic safely.”
“The Fairy King was the person that escaped from the gaol and the name you erased from the Guild wall,” the princess observed.
“Yes,” the Matriarch confessed. “We were blind to his ambition and it cost us everything. Now magic is disappearing from the world, and all we can do is hold on to what is left.”
“That’s not true,” Damselfly argued. “We can reach the Evergarden, steal the timepiece back from the Fairy King and restore time to Fable.”
“There is no way to reach the Evergarden,” the Matriarch stated. “Even if you could, the Fairy King is the most powerful sorcerer in Fable.”
“We have to try,” Damselfly persisted. “Soon there will not be enough food in Thronegarden. The people in Wintergarden have forgotten the sun’s warmth, and we cannot allow magic to disappear from our lands.”
The Matriarch still seemed unconvinced although she was listening carefully.
“Uriel believed it could be done and so do I,” Damselfly reiterated.
“How?”
“Blakast somehow used this artefact to free Sprites from the Evergarden. They were terrorising villagers of Wintergarden and attempted a coup against my family.”
“Perhaps they were remnants of the Fairy King’s army that escaped capture,” the Matriarch proposed.
“Blakast stole this item for a reason and almost took the throne with it; that cannot be a coincidence,” Damselfly debated. “If only there was a way to get our hands on the artefact, we might be able to discover a way to reach the Evergarden.”
“Do you know where the original is being kept?”
“It is heavily guarded back at the castle. I could never reach it without being recognised and caught,” Damselfly reasoned.
“The artefact is unique,” the Matriarch considered. “Only the original creator could replicate it.”
“But Bakka’s dead, isn’t he?” the princess asked.
“No, he is not,” the Matriarch revealed. “He disappeared from sight decades ago. Only a select few know of his true whereabouts.”
“Do you know where he is?”
“Yes,” the Matriarch revealed.
Damselfly could not keep still at this latest news; she was excited at uncovering a possible route to the Evergarden and continuing her mission.
“Will you tell me where Bakka is?”
The Matriarch considered the small young girl before her: so desperately vulnerable and yet something about the child made it impossible to turn away.
“I will help you,” the sorceress agreed. “For Uriel and Fable.”
“Yes!” Damselfly danced with pleasure, unable to suppress her delight. She could not wait to share the news with Buttontail.
Buttontail had recovered from his ordeal. When they returned to the Guild to discover the greedy rabbit devouring a bunch of grapes, he seemed back to his normal self. Damselfly, whose anger had dissipated, ran to her companion and gave him a hug.
“Guess what, Buttons, we found a way to reach the Evergarden,” the princess related.
“There is no way,” Eloise dismissed.
“Yes, there is,” Damselfly argued. “Tell her.”
The Matriarch nodded gravely, understanding better than anyone the risks that would accompany the knowledge she was about to impart.
“Damselfly believes the stolen artefact could be wielded to breach the barrier between here and the Evergarden.”
“How would you get hold of the artefact?” Eloise questioned.
“We can’t, it is heavily guarded back at the castle,” Damselfly explained.
“So, like I said, it is impossible.” Eloise crossed her arms over her chest.
“Not if we can find the original creator and get him to make us a copy,” Damselfly corrected.
“No one knows where Bakka is and he hasn’t built anything in recent memory,” Eloise dismissed.
“I know where he is,” the Matriarch imparted. “He is in the Lavagarden.”
“L… l… lava,” Buttons stuttered.
“It makes sense, no one else would choose to live there,” Eloise admitted.
“Reaching Bakka will require some specialized equipment.” The Matriarch touched Damselfly’s wings and imbued them with magic.
“These will carry you across the lava, though you will have to convince Bakka to help you alone.”
“I’m sure he will once we explain everything to him,” Damselfly grinned.
“You want us to fly over lava?” Buttons questioned.
“It will be fun.” The princess hovered slightly, trying her magical wings.
“I am afraid of heights,” Buttons queried.
“It will be a dangerous challenge; only you can decide whether it is worth the risk,” the
Matriarch instructed.
“We’re going,” Damselfly stated.
After resting up, Damselfly declared they were ready. Buttons was fretfully quiet although he did not argue and resigned himself to facing further dangers. The Matriarch handed them a token for the gate before leading them outside. Eloise sullenly brought up the rear. Her nails and hair had stopped changing colour hours ago though she had not seemed to notice.
“I do not believe anyone has seen or spoken with Bakka for years. He may not be especially responsive to visitors,” the Matriarch warned.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get through to him,” Damselfly replied confidently.
“I expect you will,” the Matriarch agreed.
Facing out over the Magic Quarter with burgeoning colours and potent scents, Damselfly glimpsed a figure in a red cape enter the magic barrier.
“He’s found us,” Damselfly gasped.
The Matriarch turned to see Orion heading towards them and took charge. “I will deal with this,” she declared.
The Matriarch had not seen her fellow sorcerer since he departed for Thronegarden; however, they had known each other for years and they greeted one another formally. She remembered his crescent birthmark and gold pendant that always hung from his neck.
“Orion, what brings you back here?” the Matriarch posed.
“I am here to take the princess home,” Orion informed.
“She is on an important mission, not just for herself but all of Fable,” the Matriarch reported.
“I am following the king’s orders. Anyone attempting to stop me will be committing treason,” Orion threatened. “Step aside.”
“I cannot,” the Matriarch stated. “Your magic was always stronger in the healing arts, fighting is not your area of expertise.”
“We do what we must,” Orion answered.
Orion’s hand appeared to burn green moments before unleashing a powerful stream of energy towards the Matriarch who created a magical shield to deflect the blow.
“You should go now.” Eloise pushed Damselfly in the direction of the gate. Damselfly ran although she continually looked over her shoulder until the battle was out of sight. It was terrible to know that the Matriarch may get hurt because of them.
“I’m sure she’ll be all right,” Buttons comforted. “She is a great sorceress.”
Damselfly accepted the words gratefully although she had a feeling that Orion would not allow himself to be stopped.
The Magic Quarter was being pulled apart by the conflict between two equally matched magicians as Orion continued to attack the deflated Matriarch.
“You cannot break down my defenses,” she warned.
“You cannot stop me without killing me.” Orion released another bolt.
Eloise watched helplessly as the two sorcerers exchanged blows that would have killed a normal person. The Matriarch was keeping Orion at bay quite easily until they both started to see changes occurring around them. The Matriarch noticed a patch of bright colour disappear first, then blotches of blackness began appearing, leaving her vision diluted.
“We are draining too much magic,” the Matriarch cautioned.
“Let me pass,” Orion demanded, continuing his assault.
The Matriarch was locked in combat with an opponent she could overpower; unfortunately, the cost of doing so was rising with each passing moment. With no way to replace the magic they were burning through, every fragment of energy was precious, and already the Magic Quarter was showing signs of degradation. The magic barrier was growing transparent while the creatures inside the gaol were straining at their weakening binds.
“If we continue, this whole place could be destroyed,” the Matriarch exhorted.
“Move aside,” Orion cried.
Eloise, who had been watching proceedings with growing horror, could not standby any longer. Despite possessing limited magical powers, she hoped her presence would turn the tide in their favour. Unfortunately, Orion, who was the aggressor, caught sight of Eloise and redirected his next strike towards her. The Matriarch did not have enough time to react so Eloise took the blast head on, sending her sprawling to the ground.
“Eloise,” the Matriarch screamed, running over to her fallen friend.
Orion, sensing victory, tore his eyes from the carnage he had caused and began to cross the square in pursuit of his quarry.
“Orion, she’s hurt,” the Matriarch declared. “I need your healing powers.”
Orion stopped, considering his options before dismissing the plea.
“Please,” the Matriarch begged.
Orion walked over to where Eloise had fallen after the impact. Her body was protected by the Matriarch who was leaning across her friend.
“I will help the girl if you tell me where Damselfly is heading,” Orion bargained.
“OK,” the Matriarch surrendered.
Chapter 10
The Hottest of Times
The Lavagarden was a land of extremes.
Immediately upon entering, Damselfly was struck by a blast of fetid hot air and a terrible stench of rotting eggs. Sulphur-laden smoke vents brought tears to their eyes and made their throats sore.
“I don’t like it here,” Buttons whined.
“We must find Bakka,” Damselfly replied determinedly.
With the dispirited rabbit in her arms, Damselfly flew over large veins of lava that flowed beyond sight. Over eighty percent of the Lavagarden’s surface was lava. It had been partitioned off years ago to avoid damage being done to the neighbouring gardens. Three active volcanoes created an unholy trinity of destruction that kept the Lavagarden from cooling and turning into rock.
“Please don’t drop me,” Buttons wailed.
“Stop squirming then,” Damselfly ordered.
The princess was still mastering her magical wings though she could fly relatively well. Whenever it came time to change direction or land, she was still finding it a challenge. Damselfly did not worry about the Matriarch who she had left behind because she was certain she could look after herself. Hopefully Orion would be off their trail permanently, and they could concentrate on recovering Death’s timepiece without interference.
“We might never find him amongst all this,” Buttons feared.
“He is probably the only person living here; we’ll find him eventually,” Damselfly comforted.
“What are we going to eat until then?” the insatiable rabbit queried.
Damselfly flew over a large mountain range buoyed by the invisible warm currents from below. They did not encounter a single living creature either in the air or down below. There were simply not enough resources to sustain life.
“How could anyone survive here for more than a couple of days?” Buttons asked incredulously.
“The Matriarch said Bakka was here and I believe her,” Damselfly responded stubbornly.
“She can’t actually know that though because she has been living in the Magic Quarter for years,” Buttons disputed.
“You said back in the Magicgarden that you wanted to be brave. Well, here is your chance,” Damselfly offered.
Buttontail tried to puff his chest out majestically, but all he got was a disgusting mouthful of smoke and his resolve was gone.
“I think terrified suits me better,” the frightened rabbit crowed.
Damselfly was beginning to get tired and there were no suitable places to rest that she could see. They dropped lower in the hopes of spotting something that could offer them surcease. Instead, the heat became unbearable with temperatures at ground level over one thousand degrees. They were forced to fly higher again.
“I don’t think I can keep flying much longer,” Damselfly warned.
“What’s that down there?” Buttons pointed.
The princess struggled to see through the clambering smoke. Eventually an opening allowed her an opportunity to glimpse what appeared to be a ship.
“Who could build a ship capable of sailing on lava?” Buttons questioned.
r /> “Bakka!” Damselfly exclaimed.
With great relief they drifted lower until they could see details of the ship. It had a long and slender hull made from overlapping planks of wood with symmetrical ends. At the head of the ship, a dragon had been carved into the prow, its mouth wide open, threatening a stream of fire that was ironically all around them.
“How can a wooden ship float on lava?” Buttons asked.
“Magic,” Damselfly stated.
“I thought Bakka was a smith, not a sorcerer,” the animated rabbit voiced.
“He is, though his superior skills come from imbuing his work with magic,” Damselfly explained.
They alighted on the deck, which creaked under their feet disconcertingly. A small fragment of land resided nearby, and the princess hoped it would make finding Bakka easier. The duo continued on foot, stepping onto dry land cautiously as if the whole plateau might at any point sink into the river of fire.
“He can’t be far,” Damselfly acknowledged.
“I do not like this place,” Buttons commented, singeing his fur as he went over the side of the boat to safety.
“The sooner we find him the sooner we can leave,” the princess added.
Buttons could not imagine why anyone would voluntarily live in a garden like this; there was no food or water and the air was choked with foul fumes.
“What if the Matriarch is wrong and he’s not here?” Buttons queried.
“Look!”
Damselfly had caught sight of a figure sitting on the highest point of the islet, looking out over the rivers of lava. Despite their excitement they approached slowly with Buttons keeping close behind Damselfly who strode forward purposefully. The man never turned, holding his gaze towards the horizon. Even when Damselfly called his name, there seemed to be no recognition.
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