The Forgotten Spell (Legends of Green Isle Book 1)

by Constance Wallace

  Lily landed on the table beside Lamfada. Matt watched her tiny face frown in worry. “Queen Onagh stated the Wraiths will only give the Wand to the person they deem worthy of possessing it. I don’t believe for an instant that those three sisters would betray the purpose of Prince Finley’s Wand,” she said.

  “That’s what I be sayin. Betrayal. Givin’ it willy nilly to whoever they be deeming worthy. They won’t be hidin' it like they promised. All three of them wenches never be keepin’ their word,” the leprechaun exclaimed, jumping from his chair. Marching to the far wall, Lamfada retrieved a grey patched jacket off a small hook. Angrily, he thrust his small arms into the sleeves and grabbed a wide-brimmed green hat from another hook. He pulled it down on his head with determination. “Are ya ready?” he shouted.

  “Where are we going?” Matt questioned quickly. Rising to his feet, he helped Miranda up.

  “It seems Lamfada has agreed to escort us to Keltrain,” the dragon whispered.

  Sonya padded to the shadow of the wall. Matt glanced at her with distaste.

  “The wizard’s garden. That’s where ya be headed, isn’t it? Hurry up, it be gettin’ dark, and I don’t like bein’ out of me mountain for very long. The Slaugh may still on the other side, but it won’t be takin’ ‘em long to figure out where ya be goin’.”

  Jumping to their feet, Thomas and Ned turned to go back out the door. They did not get very far before Lamfada’s raspy voice stopped them. “What do ye knuckleheads be doin’?” he demanded. He pointed to the far wall. “The door be over this way.”

  “But that’s a wall,” Thomas exclaimed. “How are we gonna go through a solid wall?”

  “And how did ye be gettin’ to me wee small home?” Lamfada dug into several of his pockets before pulling out a piece of chalk. Holding it up, he chuckled as he scooted his bed away to reveal the rough stone. “I think it’s just about here.” His finger pointed to a place that had been hidden by the bed frame.

  Matt watched as the leprechaun drew a line in the shape of a door, along with a doorknob. When the leprechaun rapped three times in the middle, a light flashed along the chalk line just as it had done in the canyon. The friends gasped when the rock pushed outward on its invisible hinges, revealing a landscape behind it. Hidden on the other side was a beautiful garden, mixed with flowers, old statutes, and crumbling rock paths. Sounds of a running river could be heard in the distance, as well as the croak of small frogs. The sun was low on the horizon as the group trooped into the fresh air.

  “I can breathe again,” Ned exclaimed happily as he sucked in a large quantity of air.

  “Yeah, and it doesn’t smell like dirty feet, either,” Thomas commented.

  Lamfada wrinkled up his face at the older boy’s words. “Mind ye manners, boy, for the smell of me home is like me ma’s used to be.”

  “What’s this place?” Matt asked as he surveyed the property.

  “This is what’s left of Keltrain’s castle. It’s protected from discovery by a curse,” DaGon replied as he settled on the lawn beside Matt.

  “How can a curse protect it?”

  “When the Dark One destroyed the remaining Fomorians, the wizard chose a spell that transformed him into the White Salmon, a magical being able to see into the future. With the transformation came the curse.”

  “I still don’t understand,” Matt said, perplexed.

  “The spell of the White Salmon is an ancient spell. Keltrain needed to view the future in order to find the Champion of the Sword and the day we would be rid of the Dark One, so he cast it upon himself, but he didn’t read all the way through the documents before proceeding.”

  “Did somethin’ bad happen to him?” Miranda asked.

  “He didn’t realize the spell was sort of permanent. Once he muttered the magic words, he became one with the natural world and would always remain in that fish form until the vision he sought manifested itself, in this case, you. So he’s been a salmon for a very long time, and hidden in this garden.”

  “I see. This wizard, Keltrain, is here because of a spell he cast upon himself...and he’s a fish.”

  “Yes dear, that’s correct. The White Salmon. Only at the appropriate time can he transform back to human form,” Lily added. “With the spell he created, he’s protected until then, within the sanctuary of this garden. DaGon deems it a curse, and it’s not.” Lily glanced at the dragon.

  “It’s a curse to be a fish,” the dragon retorted. “Being slimy and living in the bottom of a river doesn’t seem to be an enjoyable prospect, even if it’s a valiant one.”

  “And you believe your curse is any better?” Lily remarked with a shake of her head. “For all we have been through, dear, you still haven’t learned very much.”

  “I’ve learned enough.”

  “And I’ve had enough,” Lily stated quietly as she flew away.

  “Those fillies don’t be knowin’ nothin’, DaGon. Don’t ya pay it no mind,” Lamfada soothed, watching the retreating fairy.

  “What was all that about?” Miranda asked Matt.

  “A little hard to understand sometimes, because it seems to be about stuff which happened a long time ago and I don’t know any of their history at this point.”

  “A lot of this is hard to understand, ya know, but here we are,” she replied.

  “Yes, but it doesn’t seem to be getting any easier, just more...muddled.”

  “It’ll make sense and all, soon. I’m sure of it. I can feel it.”

  “All right, enough of ya small talk. Keltrain is expectin’ ya,” the leprechaun said as he walked between them.

  The two children followed the rest of the group as Lamfada led them down a grassy path and out onto a bridge which crossed over a small river. Standing for a Moment in its center, the leprechaun surveyed the dark swirling waters beneath the creaking wooden planks, before nodding his head. Licking his lips, he puckered and began whistling an eerie song. After a few bars of melody, he leaned over the wooden rails and peered into the midnight blue water. Bubbling sounds broke the surface beneath him, and hearing it, he whistled louder.

  “What’s happening?” Miranda asked, bending closer to the rushing surface of water.

  Without warning, a large white fish as big as a dog jumped into the air and smiled at them before plunging headfirst back into the inky depths of the river. The dive cascaded droplets of water upon their heads and shoulders. Miranda protested at the impromptu bath.

  “Hello,” a voice called from the other side of the bridge. “It’s about time you showed up. I thought you were done for when I received word from my scouts about your disappearance from the forest.”

  The children rushed to the opposite side of the bridge and peered down. Bobbing at the surface was the head of a white fish. Small round glasses adorned its snout, which was complemented by a black and gray moustache.

  “My name is Keltrain. Welcome to my home.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Keltrain jumped and splashed about for several minutes to entertain the children. He told jokes and seemed happy when the children laughed. Matt smiled at his friendliness. He appeared to have their best interests in mind and that made him feel more comfortable about the wizard. The fish continued his amusing antics for a few more minutes until Ned’s stomach howled out with a loud gurgling noise.

  “Was that your stomach?” Miranda snickered uncontrollably.

  “Yep,” Ned replied, placing his hand over his midsection. “I told you it misses pork chops and mash taters.”

  “Well then, perhaps we should find a remedy for your poor stomach's emptiness,” the fish stated with empathy. “Let me see what I can do.”

  Matt and the others watched in amazement as the fished jumped out of the water and floated above the river in a magic trance. Keltrain closed his eyes and dramatically spoke words and phrases of an unknown language. Matt listened with anticipation, wondering what the fish’s words would bring. A rushing wind blew briefly after his incantation, and
then a loud pop sounded as a large rectangular table appeared on a small rock wall near the edge of the water. Ornate chairs floated down onto the ground one by one and walked into place at the table’s edge while a velvet tablecloth dropped from above and softly draped itself onto the surface. Through a wisp of smoke, glasses, plates, and utensils appeared at each seat.

  “I had to ask them to come out from my closets,” the fish stated before diving back under the water.

  Matt glanced at Miranda, whose face showed intense delight at the sudden appearance of the objects. She seemed unafraid of the magic and openly embraced this world. He, on the other hand, found the magic alarming and unpredictable, and worried that it may be their undoing.

  “Momma would have loved that,” she exclaimed, clapping her hands when Keltrain appeared on the surface of the water near them. “Is cleaning up just as easy?”

  “Yes my fair lady, just as easy...quick as a wink.”

  Matt was surprised when slender brown women, dressed in brown and gold shimmering cloth, appeared from behind the trees. Their braided green hair contained adornments of branches and flowers and in their arms they carried bowls and platters loaded with food, which they placed gently on the table. He stared openly at the color of their skin. The soft brown hues, which resembled tree bark, mesmerized him. They said not a word. Their quietness and beauty caused him to stumble slightly when he sat down on one the chairs. He couldn’t take his eyes off them. One of the unusual women smiled at him, and he felt his mood soften without his control. As he looked deeply into the yellow gold of her irises, a sense of peace enveloped him and he smiled back.

  “Wood nymphs. The Dyrads. Spirits of the trees,” the fish said. “They have the ability to calm even the violent lion.” He swam to the shoreline and flicked a stream of water at Lily, who hovered close to him.

  “Really Keltrain, do you have to be so... so childish?” the fairy fumed as she brushed the water droplets from her clothes. “And the Dyrads aren’t your servants, you know. They should only be contacted to ask for guidance, not used for manual labor.”

  “They’re my friends and my companions, and are happy to help. Besides, the fairies don’t come to see me anymore. Fish don’t have arms or legs, so every now and again I need help.”

  When the last bowl had been set upon the table, Ned shouted in joy. “Look, it’s pork chops and mash taters.”

  “Well, I couldn’t let my guest go hungry, now could I?” Keltrain exclaimed.

  “Gee whiz, there’s every kinda thing here. How did they know what to bring?” Thomas asked as he began to spoon some of the potatoes onto his plate.

  “They’re amazing. I love the color of their hair. Southern belles they could be, so quiet and lady-like,” Miranda commented to the old fish swimming at the river’s edge. “Where do they come from?”

  “They live in the Pine Forest. Dyrads are guardians of the woods. They look after the small creatures and help any unlucky traveler who may be lost. Not only my friends, but my spies. They informed me of the Slaugh’s pursuit of you and some of them have been following the trail of those dark unnatural things after your escape underground.”

  “I’ve never seen anyone with skin that looks like bark.”

  “I can honestly say there’s a bunch of stuff we haven’t seen before comin’ here. Gee whiz, we’re talkin to a fish right now,” Thomas replied.

  “Please, eat and rest. I know you all are tired. After your meal we’ll discuss your travels further,” the wizard commanded gently.

  The friends needed no other urging, and devoured the hot meal quickly. After the tense journey through the underground cavern to Lamfada’s house, it felt good to relax. The joy of a full stomach was a Momentary break from the stress of their encounter with the storm and the Slaugh. The peace the Dyrad passed to Matt mingled with the laughter from his friends and for the first time in many days, he felt optimistic about their quest.

  When the last of the food had disappeared, the Dyrads quietly retreated to the tree line and disappeared back in the depths of the forest. Matt was sad to see them leave. The peace he had felt a short time ago now began to dissipate. Only when it became silent at the table did the conversation finally turn to Uthal.

  “He’s enlisted Bera to help him, if you must know.” Lily flew to the fish. “Now with her added power, their strength will be immeasurable. What are we going to do? Can you think of any way we can get rid of her before taking on Uthal?”

  “No. I can’t. I only saw a portion of the events to come in my visions. I’ve tried many times to focus on the ultimate battle, hoping to catch a glimpse of the sword’s Champion, but the only picture I can see is that of a mirror breaking into a thousand pieces.”

  “The force of Bera’s army along with Uthal’s won’t be an easy match for four children, even with the sword.”

  “I couldn’t find anything in the Elf library that would help either, with respect to Bera,” DaGon stated. “Our history seems to be limited on knowledge of her and her powers.”

  “We haven’t guarded the portal in vain. There’s always a solution,” Chester commented quietly as he munched on the grass at the river’s edge. “Sometimes it’s just a little hidden and we have to search for it.”

  “Aye, that winter witch has a few of her own weaknesses,” Lamfada pointed out. “It just be escapin’ me at the Moment of what they be.”

  “It’s imperative the sword be retrieved, and its champion chosen. That’s the first step,” the wizard said. “We can devise a plan from there.”

  “You know he’s using Bera to reach out to this world and theirs,” Lily said, nodding in the direction of Matt and Miranda. “Even though King Angus imprisoned him, he still found a way to continue his plan. Now both worlds are in danger.”

  “But now we’ve come to the time we’ve prepared for. The four of legend are here. I’m confident the Sword of Balorn will choose its champion and that child will save us.”

  “At least you’re confident,” DaGon stated quietly. “I’ve had my doubts.”

  Matt didn’t miss the hurried look the dragon gave him and Ned.

  “But there’s something not quite right. I’m sensing that one of these children may be in trouble, something not seen in the first vision, a calamity of some sorts. You both need to keep a vigilant watch over them.”

  Matt squirmed in his chair. The wizard’s warning didn’t sound very good. He looked at his friends. He needed to do the same and keep a watchful eye on all of them, especially Miranda. Everyone was going to get back home safe if he could help it.

  “We’ve brought the map and the key, but we need your knowledge to open it.” DaGon took a long drink from the river. “Queen Erulisse says you have the magic words needed to awaken Quert’s ability to read the secret of the runes.”

  “And we would also like it if you would come with us,” Chester added. “Not that it’s a demand, more a request. I seem to be the only one who keeps a level head and having another like mind would be appreciated.”

  “Yes,” Keltrain murmured. “I hadn’t given it much thought, but I suppose it’s time for me to transform back to my human self. Goodness, I’ve been a fish for so long, I hope I haven’t forgotten what’s it’s like to be a man.” He dove under the water, disappearing from view.

  Matt watched as a ghostly white mist formed over the top of the water. He and the others rushed to the river’s embankment. He wondered how the wizard was going to transform back into a man underwater, but before he could give it much thought, a human head emerged from the murky depths. Matt and his friends stepped back in shock as a body soon followed. The head and body rose quietly upwards, breaking the ripples of the water, until the dry figure of a middle-aged man, sporting curly black hair and a long black and gray beard and moustache, floated above the river. His feet, barely touching the shimmering surface, hung in midair.

  Keltrain, dressed in a large blue wool robe and matching pants, glided to the shore. Tentatively, he
stretched out a leg and touched the grass with a toe. Matt thought he seemed unsure of his footing and watched as the wizard pushed several times at the vegetation before stepping down on the earth. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had legs. I guess you can’t ever forget how to be bipedal.” He bounced up and down, bending and moving in an exaggerated dance. “Can’t say too much has changed in all those years. Still got all my fingers and toes.”

  “You’ve been a fish, Keltrain. There’s not much to change when you’re a fish,” DaGon advised, shaking his head.

  “Yes, I guess you’re right, my friend.” Keltrain reached into his oversized pockets and dug through the contents. “I know I stored it in here somewhere,” he mumbled. Finally, he pulled a wadded piece of black felt from one of the inside pockets. Matt smiled when the wizard shook out the material and donned a plain, black hat, with an oversized brim. Keltrain regarded the individuals staring at him. “Is it flat?” he asked.

  “It’s fine,” Lily assured him. She buzzed around his head and checked its condition. “How nice to finally see the real you. I couldn’t image being a fish for thousands of years. We certainly appreciate the sacrifice you made for Green Isle.”

  “I’ve got to tell you, honestly, being a fish isn’t that great. I always had this irresistible urge to swim upstream and the bugs...ugh. I’ve eaten my fill of them.”

  “It definitely isn’t pork chops and mash taters,” Ned interjected.

  “No, dear boy, it isn’t pork chops and mashed potatoes.” Keltrain chuckled and brushed blades of river grass from his blue garments. “But it was necessary if I was to find a solution to Uthal. Green Isle and the worlds beyond the portals were in danger from that scoundrel. Without the vision of the White Salmon of Prophecy, I wouldn’t have been able to see who would rescue us.”

  “What kind of spell is that? The White Salmon of Prophecy?” Matt asked.

  “One I learned from a certain druid in the old land. He apparently used it on himself once upon a time. Gave me a copy of his manuscript before he cast the spell, which I sincerely believe was transcribed incorrectly. Although, come to think of it, he still is in the form of a fish, so maybe it was given to him that way.”