“Oh!” I shut the heavy wooden door behind me.
“Your granduncle and I have been in contact since you came back to this world. After you discovered Morgana was in pursuit of the keys, Silverthorne was to bring you here on your way to Elfi. I only recently got word from him that you had left Eldoren on your own.” He scrunched his eyebrows together as he assessed me. “Although many may think it was a wrong move on your part, I believe it was fate that caused you to flee Neris when you did. And it was the same fate that brought you to me, even without your granduncle. If you hadn’t left that night, you might be rotting in the dungeons along with Silverthorne.”
I nodded, sitting down in the nearest chair. “I may have saved myself by leaving the city, but my family is in trouble because of me and I can’t do anything to help them.” I felt so useless, and doubts about my ability to continue this path were slowly creeping in.
“Everyone makes mistakes, Aurora, even you. But this is not one of them. The events that are starting to take place are not your doing. You are but a pawn in a much larger game you have not begun to understand.” The mastermage went over to his desk. “Destiny is a strange thing—it may shape our fate, but eventually we all have a choice as to how to use the opportunities given to us.”
“But Eldoren has joined hands with Morgana, and it’s all my fault. I should have been there to help them.”
“They are scared, and rightfully so. Morgana and Lucian have the Drakaar working with them. If you’d been there, what could you have done? Even your magic could not have held them off. All you would have achieved would be getting yourself killed.”
“I could have fought them. I could have saved Aunt Serena and Erien. And what about Penelope? I don’t know what happened to her.”
“If you had learned to control your fae powers without your amulet, things might have been different,” said the mastermage sternly. “But you have barely scraped the surface of your magic, and there is still so much for you to learn.” He paused. “Silverthorne is safe for now; he may be in the dungeons, but he is still alive. He will never give Morgana the key, and as long as she doesn’t have it, she will not kill him. I have also heard reports that Serena Silverthorne and her son escaped and are not to be found.”
“But they could be anywhere. What if they need help? Someone has to find them.”
“I have my people looking for them.”
“There is something I need to ask you.” I tried to word my question correctly.
“I will answer you the best I can.”
“I have heard Morgana has a secret.” I told him what Lucian had said.
The mastermage shook his head, sitting down in his chair behind the desk, a weariness on his face making him look older than his years. “I do know she has a secret,” he said finally. “And your granduncle was also very eager to find out what it is. Unfortunately, I never discovered what she was hiding.”
“But what if it is something important? It could help us against Morgana. Shouldn’t we at least try to find out what it is?”
“The most important thing for you is to learn to master your fae magic. There is so much more to it you cannot begin to grasp. Going to Elfi should be your first priority.”
He was right, I had to stop being so impatient. I could not do everything at once.
“But I still haven’t understood why you disobeyed your granduncle’s orders and journeyed out into the world alone?”
I cringed at my stupidity and tried to explain about my mother and the Dagger. “That is the main reason I came here, because I need to ask you about the Dagger of Dragath and how I can get my mother back.” I couldn’t leave without answers.
The mastermage ran his fingers through his messy hair, got up from his chair, and started to pace the room. “I do not have all the answers, I’m afraid. But it is heartening to know Elayna is still alive, and I do believe you are on the right track. After controlling your magic, getting the dagger out of Morgana’s clutches should be your highest priority. Without it she cannot release Dragath from his prison, even if she opens the Book of Abraxas. Dragath is an ancient being, with powers that stretch back through time. He was the one who created the Dagger, and the only way to break his dark curse is with ancient magic.”
“But Uncle Gabriel said ancient magic doesn’t exist anymore?”
“That is the common belief,” he nodded, getting up and walking over to the crowded shelves. He came back with a large, worn, leatherbound book. “But what Silverthorne did not tell you is there is still one last piece of ancient magic left in this world.”
“There is?” My eyes widened. There was a way to free my mother, and I had come to the right place.
“Yes.” The mastermage opened the book. “The Vironion Codex and other sacred texts and scrolls over the centuries speak of a weapon that contains the last of the magic of the ancients.”
“A weapon!” It sounded very powerful, and a little far-fetched. But if there was a way to combat Dragath’s magic, I had to find it. “What is it?”
“It is known as the Dawnstar. This legend has been told many times over, in different ages and by different seers. Although this is not the original version but a copy of what is written in the Vironion Codex, it will suit our purpose.”
Flipping through the pages, he ran his fingers over some of the symbols, reading them and muttering to himself. “Ah!” he said, stopping and smoothing the page he was looking for. “Here it is, the legend of the Dawnstar.” He read from the page in front of him. “A weapon of unimaginable power, created from the blood of the ancients. The Dawnstar remains Avalonia’s last defence against the darkness.”
He shut the book and opened another one. “I don’t know all the details, but the Sarabine Chronicles, an older text of legends and prophecies, mentions it as well.” The mastermage read aloud from the page he had opened to. “The last of Avalonia’s ancient magic resides within the Dawnstar.”
He closed the book.
“What exactly is the Dawnstar? Is it a sword, a jewel? A ring? How do I find it?”
The mastermage shook his head. “I regret to say I have no idea. The witch tribes also mention the Dawnstar in their ancient scrolls, as do the fae. But no one has ever seen it or knows what it looks like.”
“What do the other texts say?” I was curious to know more about this legendary weapon, Avalonia’s last defense against Dragath’s magic.
“The answers you seek lie in Elfi. The whereabouts of the Dawnstar are buried somewhere within the pages of the Fae Codex. Only the Elder Council of the High Fae and the Queen of Elfi have access to it.” He paused and gave me a pointed look. “The magic of the Dawnstar is the only power that can break the curse on the Dark Dagger. It is, in fact, the only way to get your mother back.”
“How will I know what I am looking for?” There was so much I didn’t know, and so much more I had to learn.
“You will know when you see it. I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to master your magic and control it. Get the High Fae to show you the Codex and it will lead you to what you seek. If Dragath is ever released, you will find yourself in a nightmare from which you cannot awake.”
I shivered involuntarily at this. “And the Book of Abraxas? Where is it now?”
“It is in Elfi, protected by the fae. But eventually Morgana will find out where it is and come for it. When that time comes, you must be ready to face her. She must never get her hands on the book. It contains magic from a time we cannot comprehend. If opened, it will give her unimaginable power.”
I nodded. I was trying to remember everything I had been told about the Book of Abraxas and suddenly realized that wasn’t very much at all. “Professor Dekela told me the book was a dark grimoire.”
“It is much more than that, Aurora,” The mastermage shook his head and frowned. “The Book of Abraxas is neither dark nor light. It has been called a dark grimoire and can indeed be used to do unspeakable things, but the book is also called the
Book of Power, by those who know its true purpose.” He paused. “But power corrupts. As it did to the ancient fae lord who had the book created for his own ends, which resulted in Dragath coming to this world.”
I gasped. “The book brought Dragath to Avalonia?”
“The magic written in the Book of Abraxas gave the fae lord a great power, to rip apart the veils between the worlds as no one has ever done before. He summoned Dragath from an ancient world, a dark world that is a prison for ancient evils that cannot be contained anywhere else. Although the fae lord had the knowledge of the book, he did not have sufficient power to bind Dragath to his will. Dragath broke free and killed him, claiming the book for his own. Using the knowledge within the book, Dragath created the Dark Dagger. Morgana already has the dagger; if she gets the book as well, there is nothing we will be able to do to stop her from releasing him.”
I nodded. I knew that this was what Uncle Gabriel was trying to prepare me for. If only I had listened earlier. I had to find the Dawnstar before I went looking for the dagger. It was the only way to battle Dragath’s magic and break the curse imprisoning my mother.
“Go to your fae kin. Your grandmother and the Elders of Elfi will have more answers about the Dawnstar. The High Fae are an ancient race and the knowledge they possess dates to a time far beyond the age of mages. Work hard and master your fae magic so when Morgana comes for the book, you will be ready to remove your amulet and face her.” He looked at me closely. “For if Elfi falls, there is nowhere in this world where any of us will ever be safe again.”
I must have looked as horrified as I felt, for the mastermage smiled and his eyes softened. “This is your destiny, Aurora. It is what you were born to do. But your fate is not set in stone and is still to be decided. It all depends on the path you take. Choose wisely. The future of this world rests in your hands.”
I got up from my chair. “Great! As if I didn’t have enough on my plate already.”
The mastermage chuckled. “I’m sure you can handle it.”
“I have no doubt she can handle anything,” said Santino from the doorway.
I whirled around.
Santino was leaning on the doorframe, his hands crossed across his chest. He looked regal in his court attire, his jew-eled robe open at the front but covering his leather pants and carefully concealed weapons.
I smiled as Santino walked in and closed the door behind him. “The Emir has requested her appearance be changed for the remainder of her stay here,” Santino addressed the mastermage.
I rolled my eyes. “Not again.”
Santino’s lips curved slightly as he turned to me. “It is a better option than being confined to your rooms. At least this way you can accompany me to the banquet tonight, which is being held in my honor.”
Santino was right, it was a better option, and I did want to see the rest of the palace and the people who lived here. I could have done it myself, but my magic still felt weak after using it in Calos.
“Fine,” I said, moving to the standing mirror in the corner of the room; it was dull and blotchy but it suited my purpose.
“I will wait for you upstairs in the library. I have a book I need to consult.” Santino closed the door behind him.
I nodded and turned back to my reflection. “Go ahead,” I said to the mastermage, “but please let me choose how I am going to look.”
“Tonight you can be whomever you want to be,” said the mastermage kindly. I explained to him what I wanted.
“But what about the servants? They saw what I looked like.” I remembered the maids who had helped me get ready.
“The servants are all loyal to Santino. They will not bat an eyelid when another girl turns up in your room instead of you. They will think Santino simply got bored and replaced you.”
“Does he do that a lot?” I eyed the mastermage in the mirror.
The mastermage was smiling. “Do what?”
“Get bored with a girl and replace her so soon.”
“Frequently,” the mastermage grinned and rolled up his sleeves to perform the transformation. “Santino is not the type to be tied down to one girl for more than a few days. Every girl in Brandor has tried, but he will not marry. Says he hasn’t found the right one.”
“Poor fellow.” I felt sorry for the Pirate Prince. “He must be very lonely.”
The mastermage chuckled. “I don’t think he sees it that way.”
I stood in front of the mirror as the mastermage worked his magic on me. It was like watching myself in a Disney movie, and the mastermage was the fairy godmother. Without the swirling stars and sparkling wand, of course.
He ran one hand in the air inches from my face, and my eyes changed color from green to a deep azure. My lips became fuller, changing to a voluptuous shade of red, and my skin darkened to a golden bronze. He smiled and waved his hand around my head, and my dark locks lightened into a shining sea of spun gold which fell about my shoulders and sparkled in the candlelight. I was too spellbound to do anything else but stand there and watch myself being transformed. He made it look so simple, and I knew how difficult it was for a mage to transform a person’s features and have it hold for a length of time.
“Done,” said the mastermage, going back to sit on the chair behind his desk. “Go! Have a good time at the banquet; no one will recognize you now. I have some work to complete—I will see you there later.”
Santino was waiting for me. His dark amber eyes smoldered as I walked toward him and he grinned. “I still prefer the real you, but I guess this will do for the night.”
I swatted him on his arm. “Don’t tease, I hate it when I have to change my appearance.”
“Did you find what you were looking for?” Santino asked as we walked to the banquet hall.
I nodded. I didn’t want to say too much; I had to be careful what I revealed and to whom. I made a note to ask the mastermage if I could trust Santino with this information. He had a huge network of spies and could be an asset when it came to finding out what Lucian and Morgana were up to.
* * *
The banquet hall was a grand domed room, elaborately decorated with carved walls and an enameled ceiling. Rows of low rectangular tables lay around the room, forming a square with the center of the hall empty for the entertainers to display their arts.
I looked around for Brandon and found him reclining on a luxurious pile of cushions, a gold goblet in his hand, eyeing the scantily clad dancers wearing gauzy veils as they whirled and gyrated their hips to the music.
Santino stopped to say hello to a few of the guests, and I went to speak to Brandon.
I sat down on the edge of a cushion next to him. “Where have you been?”
He sat up straight. “Excuse me, my lady, do I know you?”
I clapped my hand over my mouth. “Oh, I forgot to tell you, I had to change my appearance,” I whispered.
He looked at me more closely. “Aurora?”
“Shhh, not so loud. The Emir wanted me to be in disguise, and he wants me to leave tomorrow.”
Brandon’s eyes darted to the door. “So soon?”
I nodded. “Yes, he thinks it’s too dangerous having me in Sanria. Do you think Morgana or Lucian can find me here? That is, if he is still alive.”
Brandon took a deep gulp, draining the contents of his goblet. “Oh, he’s alive.”
“How do you know?”
“Just a guess.” Brandon shrugged, signaling the attendant with the wine jug to top up his cup. “He’s the Archmage of Avalonia, I don’t think a little water is going to stop him.”
Could Lucian still be alive? Was he that powerful?
“There you are, Delacourt,” said Santino, sitting down beside me. “I was afraid you might have been robbed by thieves in a back alley somewhere. I was about to send guards looking for you. The streets of Sanria are not safe after dark.”
Brandon scowled at Santino. “I can take care of myself.”
Santino laughed and brushed off Brandon�
��s surliness.
I turned to the food that had been laid out. Meats and poultry stuffed with or dressed in figs, almonds, and dates were placed in the center of the long tables, along with seafood and rice cooked in saffron; spiced, candied fruit concoctions with cinnamon; and honey-infused rice pudding. There were more exotic-looking dishes I couldn’t name but couldn’t resist trying. We would have to leave tomorrow, and the journey was a long and tedious one. I was not looking forward to it.
Brandon wasn’t eating, he kept refilling his cup with wine and gulping it down like water. Why was he in such a bad mood?
At least Santino was so funny and easy to talk to that the hours passed easily. Brandon had left at some point during the night, presumably to sleep off all the wine. He was going to have a pretty bad headache the next day, I was sure.
The last of the guests trickled out of the hall, many of the men accompanying the women out or to their beds.
Santino stood up and held out his hand. “Come, I will escort you back to your room. We have a long journey ahead.”
I took his hand and followed him out of the great hall into the gardens. I took in the night air, drenched in the heady smell of orange blossoms and wild myrtle. Santino stopped but didn’t let go of my hand.
“Aurora.”
I turned towards him. “Yes, Santino.”
“I want to apologize for not being able to offer you refuge here for a few more days. But I want you to know I will make sure you reach your grandmother’s kingdom safely.”
“It’s already too much to ask, and you have been so good to me already.” I looked down. “I don’t know how I will repay your kindness.”
Santino touched my cheek with the back of his hand, a gentle caress, running it down to my chin and under it, tilting my head up to look at him. “I’m not doing this out of kindness,” he said, holding me spellbound with his dark gaze.
I didn’t know what to say. Santino was handsome, there was no doubt, but I loved Rafe and I still wasn’t over him, and I wasn’t sure I ever would be. In any case, it was too soon.
“Santino, I . . .” I began trying to form the words, but he cut me off.
The Rise of the Dawnstar Page 10